A woman who was yesterday charged with theft was today re-arraigned with another set of charges by a different inspector.

The 42-year-old was yesterday remanded in custody after stealing a cheque book, €930 in cash, using a false cheque for €729 to defraud a computer store, stealing a mobile phone and relapsing.

Today she was additionally charged with stealing a handbag which contained €1800 in cash, a mobile phone valued at 400 Euro, a number of credit cards, a purse and cheque book. The thefts occurred between March and June 2015.

She was also charged with falsifying signatures on cheques, using false documents and relapsing.

The woman's lawyer, Peter Fenech, asked the court to combine the two cases - a request which was approved. 

In court yesterday, Dr Fenech, argued that the system makes it easy for former inmates to end up back in prison, because it is impossible for them to be employed. They often end up committing crimes in the hope of surviving, and often feel they are better off in prison than outside.

She has again been remanded in custody.

Inspectors Trevor Micallef and Luke Bonello led the prosecution.

Magistrate Charmaine Galea presided.