On the night in question, 21-year-old Gilbert Thorton from St Venera was searched by police while he was at a rave party in Hal Far. Upon strip-searching him, police found six ecstasy pills in his underpants and four grammes of cannabis resin.

The accused had made a statement to police in which he said that ecstasy and cannabis were the only drugs he had ever used and before that day he had been clean for six months.

In his court testimony, Thorton said he used to frequent rave parties and stay there till 4am. He said he used to take four or six ecstasy pills a night. He said he was going to give the police the drugs and there had been no need for them to search him.

The accused is employed and has a steady salary and therefore should not be tempted to sell drugs to make an extra lira. The court noted that not all drug-users are unemployed or tight for money.

Thorton seems to have straightened his life out. He is married and is living with his mother-in-law until the place he has bought is finished.

In the light of this, the court fined Thorton Lm400, which can be paid in Lm20 monthly installments. The fine can be converted into one day in prison for every Lm5 not paid.

The court was presided over by Magistrate Lawrence Quintano while superintendent Neil Harrison prosecuted.