The police first learnt of a case where a 60-year-old woman, Theresa Cutajar and her husband, Emleti Saad 25, were running a brothel when the owner of the property in Gzira received a phone call that a man had died inside, a court was told today.

The owner, Michael Sciberras, told the court that he had heard reports about the apartment being used as a brothel.

He said the apartment has two windows overlooking the street. Whenever he drove by, he always saw two women looking down at the road. They made gestures inviting people in.

Then he learnt that a man had died in the apartment and been dragged out to common part. He filed a police report.

His wife, Jeanette Sciberras, said she had inherited the apartment from her mother. The apartment was under emphyteutical grant to Therese Cutajar.

The rent was initially €400 a year and then it was doubled to €800. Payment was made every six months. They did not go inside the apartment to receive payment.

The case continues. The accused have been remanded in custody.