A woman involved in a fight outside a Paceville nightclub struck a police officer in the face. Bodycam footage secured the conviction — but she was acquitted on three other charges due to lack of evidence.
Court of Magistrates (Malta) — Criminal · Magistrate Dr. Gabriella Vella B.A., LL.D. · 3 March 2026
At around 1:30 AM on a May night in Paceville, police were maintaining order outside the Footloose nightclub when a fight broke out between two women. Sergeant Manuel Decelis and other officers moved in to separate them. As they intervened, Anlly Xiomara Caro Perez — a 20-year-old Colombian national — struck Sergeant Decelis in the face, leaving a red mark on his left cheek. She then resisted arrest, refused to obey police commands at the scene and later at the police station, and was loud and disruptive throughout. The prosecution charged her with seven offences including assault on a public officer, resistance to police, drunkenness, breach of peace, and giving false personal details. The decisive evidence was police bodycam footage that clearly showed her striking the sergeant, supported by testimony from eight police officers and a medical certificate confirming the injury. The court convicted her on the main assault charge. However — and this is important — she was acquitted of drunkenness because the prosecution presented no actual evidence of intoxication. She was also acquitted of giving false details for the same reason: no evidence. Being rowdy at 1 AM near a nightclub is not automatically proof of being drunk.
Convicted of assaulting a police officer (Charges 3, 4 and 6 absorbed into main conviction). Acquitted of resistance with violence, drunkenness and false particulars. Sentencing issued separately.
Criminal Code Ch. 9 Art. 338 — offences against public officers; public order offences