A woman was arraigned before the courts today and was accused of defrauding at least seven people of some €3,000 in rent payments. The court heard how 46-year-old Sandra Cachia managed to defraud her victims by pretending to be a landlord of a flat in Marsascala.

The woman was charged before magistrate Aaron Bugeja, who heard how the woman is unemployed and still lives with her father in Vittoriosa.

Police investigations began when a number of people reported the woman promoting the apartment on Facebook. It appears, the woman would take the deposit but then disappear without a trace. Police inspector Christabelle Chetcuti explained that is was her 80-year-old father who had approached the police.

A warrant for Cachia’s arrest was issued but the police found it hard to find her. Her father had said that he did not know where she was although they kept in touch through phone calls.

While pleading that his client is not guilty, defence lawyer Emmy Bezzina said that Cachia was suffering from mental health problems, including depression with suicidal tendencies. He asked the court for the accused to be released on bail as in his words, “prison or Mount Carmel, would make matters worse.”

Dr Bezzina presented documents showing her mental state, however the court noted that this was just proving a preliminary analysis of her mental state and was not a detailed report. He then explained that the father would be willing to serve as guarantor. Taking the witness stand, the tearful father explained that if the daughter is released on bail, he would have to pay the consequences of her actions. The daughter was also in tears as the Magistrate explained the conditions.

The father said he understood the conditions and was willing to serve as guarantor.

The woman was granted bail and ordered to pay a guarantee of €10,000 paid by the father.