A 50-year-old house cleaner has been handed a suspended sentence after pleading guilty to stealing valuable jewellery from her employers.

Grace Borg, from Madliena, was arraigned in court and charged with two counts of aggravated theft, with the value of the stolen items exceeding €2,329.37 on both occasions. Borg, who is currently unemployed, admitted to the charges.

The report was filed with the police on 12 February after the victim began noticing that several sentimental pieces of jewellery were missing from her home. Among the items reported stolen were an engagement ring and other jewellery of personal value.

When speaking to the police, the victim said she suspected her house cleaner, who had regular access to the property, stole the jewellery.

The arrest followed information provided by the victim's husband, who told police that another woman,  for whom Borg also carried out cleaning work, had contacted them.

The woman had spoken to Borg about a pair of earrings she had lost. The cleaner later told her that she had found them and showed her a pair of earrings. When the woman examined them, she realised they did not belong to her.

Upon her arrest, Borg admitted to the theft and handed over all the jewellery, including additional items that were her own.

After taking into account her early guilty plea and clean criminal record, the court sentenced Borg to two years' imprisonment, suspended for four years.

A restraining order was issued in favour of the victims.

The prosecution was led by Inspector Clayton Abela and attorney general lawyer Marcea Fenech, while defence lawyer Mattea Giglio appeared for Borg.

The case was heard before Magistrate Kevan Azzopardi.