A 60-year-woman and her 25-year-old husband were today remanded in custody after they pleaded not guilty to running a brothel in Testaferrata Street , Gzira.

Theresa Cutajar and her Libyan husband Elmleti Saad  also pleaded not guilty to living off the earnings of prostitution.

Ms Cutajar alone pleaded not guilty to loitering for prostitution.

Police Inspector Jason Sultana said he had received information from three women, one of whom admitted to being a prostitute in court last week, who said the place was being used as a brothel.

He had requested and was given a search warrant and the police found, among other things, a sizeable bag of condoms, baby wipes and ladies’ underwear.

Lawyer Jason Azzopardi, who appeared for the couple, argued that the couple should not have been arraigned under arrest and contested the validity of the arrest.

He asked the inspector whether he was aware that there was a person who had threatened Mr Saad last year because he wanted to take ownership of the flat.

Inspector Sultana said he was aware that a threat had been made but argued that the crime was a serious one and therefore the arrest was warranted.

Magistrate Marseann Farrugia agreed that the arrest was valid and remanded the couple in custody. She recommended that Ms Cutajar would be kept at the forensic unit of Mount Carmel Hospital due to her health problems.