Couple admit to running Gzira brothel, get suspended sentence

A 60-year-old woman and her 25-year-old husband received a suspended sentence after the couple pleaded guilty to running a brothel from their Gzira flat. 

The pair, Theresa Cutajar and Elmleti Mohamed Saad, also admitted to living off the earnings of prostitution.

The police had carried out a raid on their apartment in August, after they were informed that it was being used for the purposes of prostitution by one of the prostitutes themselves.

During the raid, the police had found a large stash of condoms, together with lingerie and sex toys in the flat.

Cutajar also pleaded guilty to separate charges of loitering with intent, telling the court that she met her clients in the flat in question. 

Two other prostitutes came forward to the police during the course of the investigation and admitted to also working from the apartment in question.

Cutajar and Saad reversed their initial plea of not guilty and admitted to the charges in the sitting before Magistrate Doreen Clarke. 

Inspector Jason Sultana, prosecuting, told the court that on account of the time spent under preventive arrest, as well as Saad’s clean criminal record, a suspended sentence would be suitable. The couple’s lawyer, Joseph Arrigo, had no objection to this course of action.

The magistrate sentenced Cutajar and Saad to six months imprisonment suspended for two years, together with a €400 fine each, also holding them liable for €817 in for court expenses.