A woman was yesterday placed on probation for two years after pleading guilty to defrauding a number of shops when she used a stolen Quickcash card in December 2004.

Michelle Frances Azzopardi, 29, from St Julian’s, was charged with defrauding Paul Sciberras and Sons Ltd, Funtasia, Kidzone, Maria Theresa Buttigieg, the proprietor of the card and HSBC Bank Malta plc.

Handing down her judgement, Magistrate Audrey Demicoli said the accused had a clean record and should be given another chance. She placed her on probation for two years.