A woman who threw an ashtray at her former partner’s car was yesterday conditionally discharged for six months.

Maria Anna Camilleri, 49, from Birzebbuga, had been in a relationship with Charles Brincat, who is married to someone else, for 18 months.

The court heard how Mr Brincat started harassing her through text messages. He also texted her mother and daughter. Ms Camilleri filed a police report claiming that Mr Brincat was following her around.

The incident happened in September of two years ago, when the woman was smoking a cigarette in her balcony. Ms Camilleri saw Mr Brincat’s car in the street below and threw an ashtray, hitting the passenger door.

Meanwhile, Mr Brincat told the court that he was driving along the road at around 11.15pm when he heard a loud bang. He stopped to check if he had hit anyone and then went to a bar for a drink because he was under shock. The following day a colleague pointed out the dent on his car.

The court found Ms Camilleri guilty by admission of damaging the car, noting that the woman should not have taken the law into her own hands. She was conditionally discharged for six months.

Lucio Sciriha appeared for Ms Camilleri.