Suspect causes power failure at police HQ in Floriana

An Estonian caused a power failure at the police headquarters on Monday after short circuiting the wires in her cell seconds after setting a pillowcase alight, a court heard yesterday.

The woman, 25-year-old Ingrid Kalviste, was here on holiday when she was arrested in Paceville on August 15 at about 11.30 p.m. for allegedly attacking a police officer who told her it was illegal to carry a glass in the street. Ms Kalviste became rather aggressive with the officer and hit him. He arrested her and her aggression escalated when she was put in a police van, Police Inspector Nikolai Sant told Magistrate Neville Camilleri.

Ms Kalviste was taken to the police headquarters in Floriana and kept in a cell where she caused a short circuit and set a pillowcase on fire. She was later transferred to Mount Carmel Hospital but released a short time later, the officer said.

Ms Kalviste pleaded not guilty to slightly injuring the officer, damaging the police van and the cell, attacking six officers, disobeying them, breaching the peace and carrying a glass in the street in Paceville.

She was remanded in custody.