She claimed to be Mrs Darmanin’s rightful heir.

Ms Cassar was charged with fraud and theft after withdrawing Lm42,000 from a bank account between 18 and 24 December 2003.

During the proceedings, notary Joseph Tabone told the court that he knew of a secret Will in which Mrs Darmanin left everything to Alexander Manche, a nurse who used to take care of her.

The accused had been Mrs Darmanin’s original heir, before this Will was drawn up. According to research carried out by a notary employed by Mr Manche and his mother-in-law Carmen Camilleri, the secret Will had indeed been drawn up and the date of its publication was even published in the newspapers.

Ms Cassar had also employed a notary to research the case and he had concluded that there was no secret will.

The court, presided over by Magistrate Giovanni Grixti, ruled that not enough prima facie evidence had been presented against Ms Cassar for her to be indicted and he therefore cleared her of all the charges against her.