Duncan Caruana, 23, from Zebbuġ, was placed under probation for three years after admitting to living off the earnings of prostitution of his girlfriend.

He was found guilty of having decided to prostitute his 18-year-old girlfriend and even agreed to take part in a threesome because they were cash strapped.

The two had been going out a year. The woman was unemployed and lived off social benefits while Mr Caruana worked at a carwash, had a drug addiction problem and needed money to pay for his habit.

Together with a friend of his, Mr Caruana agreed to split the money earned by his girlfriend without giving her anything. They also agreed that the other man would find the clients.

She moved into the man’s apartment and that same evening, he had sex with her to “try her out” and gave her €50.

Mr Caruana was then invited to take part in a threesome with his girlfriend. Immediately after, she was given condoms, which she put in her bra, and they went to Marsa to look for clients.

The girlfriend admitted that she had financial difficulties but said she accepted to prostitute herself against her will.

Mr Caruana gave four statements where he changed his version of events several times, the court heard.

Magistrate Edwina Grima in handing down judgement noted his early guilty plea and a report drawn up by his probation officer which said that the accused was working to get rid of his drug addiction. He now has a stable life and is working in the construction industry.

In being placed under probation, Mr Caruana was also fined €500.