Ms Vella’s lawyer, Dr Joseph Giglio, said she was handed a charge sheet as soon as she walked into the court room. Instead of asking for bail, the defence attorney asked for his client’s release.

The court, presided over by Magistrate Jacqueline Padovani Grima, upheld Dr Giglio’s request and ordered Ms Vella to be released. The woman is being charged with heroin possession, damaging a car, disobeying public officers and reckless driving.

Inspector Dennis Theuma prosecuted.