In the ongoing case of Paulina Dembska’s murder, Abner Aquilina’s lawyer has now claimed that his friend, a River of Love member, drugged Aquilina and made sexual advances on him the night of the murder.

Aquilina’s lawyer, Mario Mifsud, brought forward the claims about River of Love member, Derek Spiteri, during yesterday’s court hearing, the last person Aquilina was with. 

The 29-year-old Polish woman was brutally murdered on 2nd January at Sliema’s Independence Gardens, where she often frequented to feed stray cats.

20-year-old Aquilina has been facing murder and rape charges, having previously admitted that he was the one to carry out the atrocious act.

Spiteri detailed how he and another member of the River of Love group had gone to the beach together with Aquilina for New Year’s Eve, before attending a prayer session.

After having dinner together in Ħamrun, Spiteri explained how Aquilina slept at his house in Żejtun, detailing how he gave him sleeping pills before heading to sleep.

Upon waking up the next day, Aquilina was nowhere to be seen, finding a suitcase of clothes and a door left open.

It was at this moment that Spiteri began searching for Aquilina, calling his mother, checking Mater Dei, and even going to the depot, expressing how he was worried for him.

During Spiteri’s cross-examination, some inconsistencies were noted, with Aquilina’s lawyer continuing to insist on why Spiteri felt responsible for Aquilina in the first place.

The case continues on 22nd December.

What do you make of these claims?