A woman, who accidentally set fire to her Msida apartment when dozing off after a drink too many, was conditionally discharged after admitting to having filed a false arson report.

The 34-year old Hungarian resident was arraigned on Monday and charged with having knowingly reported an offence which had, in fact, not been committed.

Although few details emerged in the course of the hearing, it appears that the woman had initially told investigators that she suspected arson as the cause behind the fire which had caused damage to her apartment and left her suffering third-degree burns.

While first attributing the blaze to a suspected arson attack, the woman had later confessed to having fallen asleep with a lit cigarette in her hand, after having had too much to drink.

“I am guilty, yes,” pleaded the scarred woman when answering to the false report charge during her arraignment today, confirming her plea after being given due time to reconsider.

After hearing submissions on punishment, the court, presided over by magistrate Aaron Bugeja, conditionally discharged the accused, binding her not to commit another offence within six months from the date of judgment.

The court further ordered the woman to make good court expert expenses and other costs involved in the magisterial inquiry that had stemmed from her false report, warning the accused to check her alcohol consumption.

“Madam go slow with the booze, because it can cost you dearly in terms of money, health, well-being and relationships,” were the magistrate’s final words of warning.

Lawyer Graziella Tanti was defence counsel. Inspectors Colin Sheldon and Mario Xiberras prosecuted.