Disabled woman found in room surrounded by dog urine and faeces

A court has heard a police sergeant describe the sub-human conditions in which an intellectually disabled woman had been imprisoned for 17 hours a day by a Maltese cleaner.

Testifying before magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit, Police Sergeant Lydon Zammit spoke of being hit with an unbearable stench of dog urine and faeces when he had inspected the room where the woman was kept together with two dogs.

Inside the tiny room where the 39-year-old woman was held, the officer also found a bucket used as a toilet and piles of clothes scattered across the room. 

The sergeant was testifying in the compilation of evidence against 33-year-old Maltese woman Anna Maria Jimenez, who is pleading not guilty to holding the victim against her will, threatening her, assaulting her and causing her slight injuries.

Zammit had obtained a warrant to search the apartment after receiving a report from the accused’s 29-year-old flatmate, whom Jimenez is also charged with threatening.

Police investigations had revealed how, at around 8pm or 9pm, Jimenez would lock up the victim in her “bedroom,” giving her parts for Playmobil toys which she would assemble.

Jimenez would sell the toys to the factory.

Jimenez, who works as a cleaner at Mater Dei Hospital, would only release the woman from the room upon Jimenez’s return from work at around 3pm, after which  she would feed her and clean the room.

"When we went to the apartment, the smell was overpowering and sickening. The smell was so unbearable that it was difficult for us to spend much time in there," the sergeant said. 

He said that after the police had intervened, the 39-year-old victim thanked the police for saving her. She had been living with Jimenez for nine years. 

The 29-year-old flatmate who had reported the case after having witnessed the daily abuse since April, told the magistrate how she felt threatened by Jimenez. Jimenez had helped her find employment as a cleaner at hospital, testifying to being asked to pay more money for rent and to being pressured into giving Jimenez her debit card and PIN. 

She also testified to also having seen Jimenez slapping the victim, on occasion. 

The case continues on Friday with the 39-year-old woman expected to testify via video link.

Police Inspectors Joseph Busuttil and Sylvana Briffa are prosecuting. Lawyers Joe Giglio and Mario Spiteri are defence counsel.