Father and son charged with forcing woman into prostitution

Before magistrate Francesco Depasquale this morning, Inspector Darren Buhagiar charged mechanic Christian Cucciardi, 31, from Zebbug and Saviour Cucciardi, 52, from Ta' Xbiex, with living off the earnings of prostitution and causing the woman to fear violence would be used against her or her family. 



The men were also jointly accused of attacking the woman, slightly injuring her and threatening her. Both men were charged with relapsing.

Christian Cucciardi was charged with forcing the woman, whom he had previously been in a relationship with for seven years, into a life of prostitution.



Lawyers Paul Borg and and Clint Tabone explained that the victim and the younger of the accused had ended their relationship four months before and that the woman had not stopped harassing the accused since. They requested bail.

But Inspector Buhagiar said the fact that the accused was unsure of his address, coupled with the serious nature of the crime and the fact that prostitutes are often too afraid to testify, militated against releasing the men. He explained that the men had attacked the victim as recently as January 4. Were the men to be granted bail, the prosecution would not be assured of her safety, added the inspector.

Borg retorted that the men had cooperated fully with the police. Cucciardi had been performing works in the area when the victim had approached him, said the lawyer. But the inspector pointed out that it was highly improbable for the men to be inspecting a work site at midnight. He added that the victim had told police a different story.

Magistrate Depasquale, pointing out that it was clear that the evidence of the woman was essential to the case and in view of the risk of intimidation, ordered the men be remanded in custody.