Two brothers and a woman are to be sentenced in the coming days after admitting their involvement in the running of a brothel under the guise of three massage parlours offering the services of eastern European masseuses.

Sheldon Falzon, 33, from Gwardamangia, alongside his brother Lydon Falzon, 31, from Pieta, stood charged with having been involved in the running of the brothel, with having lived off the earnings of prostitution as well as with having made use of their property for prostitution-related activity. Lydon Falzon was separately charged with the possession of cannabis resin and also with the possession of an unlicensed firearm.

Nadia Dimech, 31, was charged alongside the two brothers with having also been involved in the running of the brothel.

Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit heard how police surveillance of the three parlours led to the uncovering of the illegal activity.

Since the case was put off for judgment, the defence requested bail. No objection was raised by the prosecution on account of the fact that the accused had registered an admission.

The magistrate granted bail on condition that the accused were to appear in court whenever summoned and to make good for their obligations by means of a personal guarantee of €5,000 each.

Yesterday, six Ukrainian women who worked at the Golden Touch and the Moments in Paradise parlours in St Venera as well as the Lotus Massage Parlour in San Gwann, were arraigned under arrest on charges of prostitution.

The prosecution also explained how a search conducted at one of the brothers' personal residence yielded cannabis resin and an unlicensed firearm. An amount of cash discovered at the residence was later returned to the accused.

The prosecution requested the court to order the closure of the parlours in question.

Inspector John Spiteri prosecuted.

Lawyers Michael and Lucio Sciriha were counsel to Lydon Falzon and Nadia Dimech.

Lawyer Yanica Bugeja was counsel to Sheldon Falzon.

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