A reformed 40-year-old mother of three who was caught with 25 ecstasy pills in 2005 has been sentenced to nine months in jail.

Lorraine Grima, from Cospicua had committed her crime during the operative period of a suspended jail term.

She was charged with aggravated possession of the drug and committing a crime during the operative period of a suspended jail term.The pills had been found hidden in her bra during a road block.

Taking the witness stand in February, nine years after she was caught, Ms Grima had said that she had bought the drugs in such a large amount because they were at a good price and when using them with friends at a party, she could keep on partying for 24 hours.

Magistrate Natasha Galea Sciberras said that while it seemed that the accused had turned her life around and found a job, her hands were tied.

She said that while she would not bring the suspended jail term into force, she was bound by law to give a mandatory jail term.

With reference to the time it took for proceedings to end, the magistrate noted that Ms Grima had failed to turn up for some sittings. She also acknowledged there were other sittings about which the accused had not been notified.