Barefoot man admits living off girlfriend's prostitution

A barefoot, 24-year-old man admitted in court today to having lived off the proceeds of prostitution.

Police Inspector Graziella Muscat told the court that the girlfriend of the accused was arrested in Marsa for prostituting herself. She was a separated mother of five who had known the accused for only five months but was obsessed with him.

When the police spoke to her, she explained that since her boyfriend was unemployed and they had no income, she herself had suggested prostitution.

The police established an instance where the woman gave the accused €20 with which he bought cigarettes and a drink.

Insp. Muscat said that there was no need for an effective jail term and probation was more in line with the crime.

Defence lawyer Renzo Porsella Flores said the crime was small and only involved €20 and the accused had cooperated with the police. He had also expressed his regrets.

Magistrate Jacqueline Padovani said she did not see this as a case for probation. Although only €20 were involved, such cases should not be happening and the court, therefore, felt a suspended sentence was more appropriate. The court could not understand how a 24-year-old man did not have regular employment. The accused should roll up his sleeves and work.

The accused said he had not done anything wrong.

Magistrate Padovani said he still had to understand what he had done. People should pay their way and no man should depend on the prostitution of his girlfriend.

She then handed down a six-month jail term suspended for two years and placed the woman under a protection order which prohibits the accused from approaching her.

Names are not being published by court order to protect the children.

As the sitting began, Inspector Muscat said that the accused had been offered shoes by the police, but he declined to wear them. He was warned that he could be held in contempt of court , but he signed a declaration stating that he did not want to wears shoes.