A defence lawyer claimed today that the former girlfriend of a man charged with forcing her into prostitution had admitted lying about him to the police out of fear of losing her daughter.

Lawyer Giannella de Marco asked the court to order that a recording of this telephone call her client, Alexandru Onofrei, received while in jail, be exhibited as evidence.

Mr Onofrei is pleading not guilty to trafficking a Romanian woman, Pilaf Anisoara, and forcing her and his girlfriend Mariaca Daresco into prostitution, holding them against their will, living off the earnings of prostitution and running a brothel.

Dr de Marco claimed that in this call, Ms Anisoara, who is Mr Onofrei's ex-girlfriend, admitted she had lied to the police out of fear of losing her child.

Magistrate Ian Farrugia upheld the request and ordered the director of prisons or his representative to appear at the next sitting with the recording in hand.

During today's sitting, Joseph Attard testified that he had rented an apartment next door to his house in Kappara to the two women in question. He said that although he had no problems with them, he usually saw men entering and leaving the apartment at 20 minute intervals, adding that "my wife kicked them out of the flat".

The owner of a property in Qormi where the alleged prostitution is said to have taken place, Brian Sciberras, testified that he was renting the apartment to Mr Onofrei and never had any complaints from neighbours.

Dr de Marco also requested the police to summon the owner of ecabs to testify on the number of trips his company had made, driving the two women to various places around the island.

At the end of today's sitting, Magistrate Farrugia granted Mr Onofrei bail against a deposit of €10,000 and a €15,000 personal guarantee. He also ordered him to sign the bail book daily.