A homeless woman accused of insulting police officers and breaching court orders broke down in court on Monday as she described life on the streets, alleged mistreatment by local council workers, and her distress at being separated from her dog.

Ramona Vassallo was arrested on 14 March after failing to appear in court in connection with another case. Police inspector Wayne Bonello testified that officers from the Ħamrun district informed him that Vassallo began shouting and insulting police during her arrest, repeatedly accusing them of corruption and directing abuse at a senior officer. She was told she would face additional charges over the incident.

Representing herself, Vassallo challenged parts of the police version of events and said her comments stemmed from past experiences with law enforcement. She told the court that officers were free to sue her for libel if they believed her accusations were false.

Vassallo also spoke emotionally about her homelessness and her refusal to enter a shelter because she would not be allowed to keep her dog, which she described as "the only thing I love in life." She said her greatest anguish was being in prison and away from the animal, adding: "My dog is my life."

Two local council workers also testified about separate confrontations in Ħamrun square on the day of her arrest. One maintenance worker said he and colleagues were repainting a letterbox when a sergeant approached Vassallo, after which she allegedly began hurling insults at a colleague and made explicit remarks about his daughter. He said the sergeant advised them to file a police report.

Vassallo denied having anything against the witness, but claimed another worker had persistently targeted her and that complaints she made were ignored "because I am homeless."

She further alleged that council workers repeatedly removed her blankets during cold weather, leaving her exposed and freezing through winter nights. She said she lost feeling in her fingers and part of her foot due to the cold, and at times even gave her jacket to her dog to keep it warm.

One worker said he was unaware of such incidents, but testified that the mayor of Ħamrun had on several occasions ordered council workers to clear Vassallo's belongings from the square. He said he had personally refused to carry out those orders.

The court also heard that a bail application Vassallo said she had filed could not be found in court records, meaning bail could not be granted during the sitting.

The case was adjourned to 15 April.