A 27-year-old woman has been jailed for 18 months after admitting to grabbing her mother by the neck and threatening to kill her during a dispute linked to her cocaine addiction.

Jade Russell was charged with theft, along with threatening, slightly injuring, and harassing her mother.

Russell pleaded guilty to the charges before Magistrate Yana Micallef Stafrace. Along with the prison sentence, the court imposed a €200 fine, a two-year treatment order and a three-year restraining order in favour of her mother.

On the evening of 11 June, Birżebbuġa police received a report from the accused's mother, Maria Grazia Russell, who said her daughter had become aggressive after she refused to give her money for drugs. Russell threatened to kill her, grabbed her by the throat, and threw objects at her.

The mother also recalled that on 28 May she discovered money was missing, which Russell later admitted to stealing to buy food and sustain her drug addiction.

Her mother later kicked her out of the house. However, Russell continued returning to the home without permission, at times bringing outsiders with her.

The prosecution was led by Inspector Christian Cauchi.

Martina Herrera appeared for the accused as legal aid.