Man describes how he was robbed in Gzira incident

Charles Debono 43, of Msida this morning pleading not guilty to complicity to rob James Edward Mercieca and holding his against his will in an incident which happened last Wednesday at about midnight in Gzira.

Mr Mercieca, who lives overseas, told the court that after having played poker with his cousin he was walking back to his aunt’s house in Gzira when a woman called him offering sex in exchange for money. He refused.

A short time later as he walked along, another woman called him, urging him to step inside, telling him she had many nice women. Mr Mercieca said he stupidly stepped inside purely out of curiosity, and in no time other women turned up, pulled his pants and took hit wallet. They emptied it of €355, leaving only €25.

As he protested and demanded the money back, a man holding a knife turned up and he decided to leave.

Mr Mercieca said he had reported the incident to the police for insurance purposes in order to get his money back. He said he had recognized the man who had held the knife.