Woman who breached bail remanded in custody, but keeps her deposit

A woman has been remanded in custody after being found guilty of breaching bail, but escaped having to pay a €6,500 bail bond. She was instead fined €1,000 in view of a mental condition she suffered from.

Inspector Frank-Anthony Tabone arraigned 43-year-old Tetiana Ellul before magistrate Astrid May Grima this morning, accusing her of failing to abide with bail conditions imposed by a previous court. 

The woman had been on bail for drug offences but had failed to sign her bail book since January. She was placed on the police wanted list and was arrested two days ago.

The inspector asked the court to, in addition to any penalty it might impose, confiscate the woman’s €6,500 total bail bond.

Lawyer Franco Debono and Marion Camilleri entered a guilty plea.

Although she pleaded guilty, the court was asked not to revoke the personal guarantee of €5,000 and the deposit of €1,500 in view of her psychological condition, which the court was aware of.

Inspector Tabone said he did not insist on the forfeiture of the bond as long as bail was revoked and a fine imposed.

The court found the accused guilty of the charges, revoking her bail. It also ordered the accused to pay a fine of €1,000.