The German woman who was kept in a cell overnight for her drunken dancing in a bikini during a band march with a statue of Our Lady in Sliema, is a devout Catholic who says she got carried away by the festivities.

“I was raised a Catholic and had no intention of disrespecting the festa, quite the contrary. I’m sure God will forgive me,” Christina Betke, 28, told Times of Malta.

Ms Betke (who was born in Kazakhstan) was arraigned on Sunday and pleaded guilty to disturbing a service of the Roman Catholic Church  The charge had raised eyebrows among the legal community, with many claiming the police had acted “overzealously” and that the girl should never have been taken to court.

Ms Betke, who works in Malta, explained that she had spent the day at a boat party. The trip ended at Sliema Ferries as the band happened to be passing by.

Ms Betke admitted she had had a few drinks – the same as everyone else on board – and was swept away by the jolly atmosphere.  The swimwear frolic resulted in a two-year conditional discharge along with a €150 fine.

A fashion designer, Ms Betke felt the legal action taken against her did not seem to match the offence but she accepted it nonetheless.  She pledged to dedicate a number of fashion designs to the Stella Maris church, and would donate the proceeds of their sale to the church in a gesture of goodwill.

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