A Gozitan woman was cleared of trying to bribe two social workers who were instructed by a judge to ensure her estranged husband would have access to his three children.

Criminal proceedings against Maria Georgette Spiteri Gambin, 42, from Għasri, started when social worker Stephanie Muscat filed a report in court claiming the woman had, at different times, attempted to bribe her.

The judge hearing a separation case involving the accused and her husband had asked the Police Commissioner to investigate.

Eventually she was charged with attempting to bribe two social workers in November and December 2010. Police Inspector Frank Tabone told Magistrate Neville Camilleri the social worker claimed Ms Spiteri Gambin tried to bribe her “on more than one occasion”.

Another social worker, Peter Paul Portelli, said that, on one occasion, Ms Spiteri Gambin’s brother, Eledon Spiteri, a police sergeant, had asked to see him and when they met the officer gave him an envelope which he said came from his sister. Inside the envelope were two €50 notes.

The court appointed the social workers to ensure access rights for of Ms Spiteri Gambin’s estranged husband, Michael Gambin, to his children, who are minors.

Ms Spiteri Gambin insisted she never gave any money to Ms Muscat and said she had only paid Mr Portelli for photocopy expenses he had incurred.

Magistrate Camilleri ruled the prosecution had failed to prove that the accused had in fact attempted to bribe the two social workers and cleared her of the charges.

Lawyer Jason Grima appeared for the accused.