Four people will appear in court “in the near future” accused of breaching the public order and peace in Paceville late last month.

The police made this statement when, last Friday, they replied to an item carried by The Times on May 28. Before publishing the item, The Times had sent questions to the police but, after two days, no reply was forthcoming.

Invoking Article 21 of the Press Act , the police insisted the reply was “being submitted for publication without any change or alteration that does not form part of this original with the same prominence given to the cited article”.

This is what the police said:

“Reference is made to the article entitled Briton Complains Of Police Inaction Over Paceville Incident, published in The Times on 28th ultimo and also posted on your portal.

“May we point out that the allegations made by Rachel Ginty were duly investigated and it resulted that the facts as penned down in the piece do not portray a true picture of what really occurred at the time of the incident. Hence, the force feels in duty bound to clarify matters.

“Contrary to what was alleged by Ms Ginty, at no point in time was the Maltese girl being beaten by her boyfriend. Only an argument between the two was taking place and this could also be confirmed by the Maltese girl herself as well as her father who denied that his daughter was ever hit by her boyfriend. The latter also praised the police officers handling this case for the high level of professionalism shown.

“It seems that Ms Ginty came up with her allegations after she meddled into the argument between the two local youths and it was only after she slapped the boyfriend in the face that he reacted and pushed her away. Following this, two other male Britons who were with her intervened where, in the scuffle that ensued, one of them was punched in the face while a vehicle’s window was also smashed by the Maltese youth when hitting back.

“As regards the allegations of police inaction, it should be stated that, when the police officers arrived at the scene, the argument had already subsided and prompt action was taken by them to investigate the case.

“Particulars were taken and medical certificates were requested from the persons involved. The injured parties were invited to file reports against each other so that court action could be taken. None of them considered to take this course of action. As the smashed car window was replaced by the Maltese youth, the car owner declined to press charges against the former.

“Nevertheless, four persons will be charged in court in the near future for breaching the public order and peace.”

The Times’ version of events

The Times asked the police for its reaction to the allegations made by Rachel Ginty but when, after two days no reply was forthcoming the story was published.

Ms Ginty, who stands by her version of events, complained over police inaction, because after she was the one to call them on the scene they let the aggressor walk away because they said they had not witnessed anything.

She claimed that not only that, but on the night the officers headed towards the aggressor and when they approached him they handed him a tissue to wipe his bleeding fist.

She said when she got home that night, Ms Ginty called the St Julians police station to report what had happened and left her phone number. Three days later she still hadn’t heard anything from them; that was when she turned to the media to express her concern about the situation.

Ironically, one day after the article was published, Ms Ginty received a phone call from the police depot instructing her to go down there immediately to give a statement. Ms Ginty and her two friends also gave statements at the St Julians police station on May 30.

Ms Ginty is now questioning why the police only started investigating when The Times carried an article on the matter, when she herself had called the St Julians police station on the night of the incident and left her number.

Ms Ginty, who believes she did her civic duty to stop a woman from being punched, said she and her friends were now being made to feel like criminals.