The manager of the residents’ association of a Valletta apartment block was ordered to return the lift’s keys to an elderly woman who failed to pay the annual maintenance fee.

Jane Azzopardi, 76, lives with her disabled husband in a flat owned by her son.

She contributed to the initial expense of the lift five years ago but did not pay the annual contribution for three years.

Magistrate Tonio Micallef Trigona said Ms Azzopardi used the lift regularly and the association, of which Anthony Zammit was manager, had stripped her of the use without resorting to a public authority.

He found Mr Zammit exercised a presumed right.

The manager was ordered to give her back the key within 15 days or face a €5 daily fine.