A woman was yesterday charged with defrauding several companies after stealing a woman’s cheque book.

Alexia Cross, 27, from Gzira, pleaded not guilty to stealing Rachel Djadi-Hallam’s cheque book, forging her signature and defrauding the woman, HSBC and several companies of more than Lm3,000.

Ms Cross was further charged with making false declarations, perjury and breaching a probation order.

Before Magistrate Edwina Grima, Ms Cross pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against her. She was granted bail against a deposit of Lm500 and a personal guarantee of Lm1,000.

Police Inspector Ian Abdilla prosecuted while Dr Raphael Fenech Adami appeared for Ms Cross.