A Bulgarian woman yesterday appeared in court on charges of pick-pocketing.

Mariana Miteva Ilieva, 43, pleaded not guilty to attempting to steal from the person of Sandra Martin on 14 February at 5:15pm in Sliema.

She was also accused of stealing from Glenda Caruana on 8 February at 5:30pm, again in Sliema. Police Inspector Daniel Zammit informed the court that he suspected that the woman was part of a larger international ring of organised crime.

The court, presided over by magistrate Silvio Meli, ordered for the accused to be remanded in custody. Dr Renzo Porcella Flores appeared for the accused.