Court apologises to club owners for delay in justice, acquits them of running a brothel

Two club owners are acquitted of running a brothel, and also received an apology from the Court for waiting six years for their case to be concluded.

Magistrate Carol Peralta acquitted brothers Ray and Vincent Micallef of Sliema of running a brothel at their establishment 'Huggins, Darlings' in St. Julian's.

The case goes back to October 2006, when Police had launched a nation-wide raid on nightclubs, and controversially arrested 37 foreign women who happened to be dancing inside the clubs.

All women were charged with prostitution and immoral acts, but were later acquitted.

Like other club owners, Raymond and Vincent Micallef were separately charged with running a brothel.

The club owners had also filed a judicial letter against Police Commissioner John Rizzo claiming that contrary to the charges brought against them and the women, the fact was that the women were dancers and were not committing any criminal acts.

They claimed that they were licensed to operate as night clubs, and the women had the right as European citizens to work as 'self-employed' dancers.

In his judgment, Magistrate Peralta said that he was acquitting the Micallef's from the charges, because no evidence was brought before the courts.

He also pointed out that throughout six years of criminal procedures, the prosecution only produced five witnesses and nothing more.

"While acquitting you, I am also expressing the court's apologies for such a long delay for justice to be done," Magistrate Peralta told the Micallef's.