An intellectually disabled woman who claims that she was locked in a filthy room for up to 17 hours a day yesterday admitted to playing bingo every week and taking the dogs out three times a day.

The admission came as the woman was grilled by defence lawyer Joe Giglio, appearing for hospital cleaner Anna Maria Jimenez, 33, who is pleading not guilty to locking her up, threatening her, assaulting her and causing her slight injuries. The 39-year-old woman was testifying in criminal proceedings against Ms Jimenez who was investigated by police after a flatmate had revealed the situation she witnessed in a rented Birżebbuġa flat which she had shared with her for five months.

Testifying via video-conference, the woman claimed she was constantly beaten by the accused and was kept locked in a room with an unbearable stench of urine and faeces, with two dogs roaming about. She told the court there were no sanitary facilities available and that used a bucket for her natural needs.

But her version of events came into question during cross examination by Dr Giglio. The woman had complained that she had been denied access to her mother for nine years. Yet, yesterday she admitted that the accused had played a part in re-establishing contact with her mother and had even taken her to visit her about a year ago.

The woman also admitted that she would go out and play bingo once a week and register for work, take the dogs out for a walk three times a day and cook for Ms Jimenez. Though the woman had complained that she used to be locked for all those hours, she confirmed that when the police came to the house she was in the kitchen. Asked for an explanation, she told the court that on that occasion Ms Jimenez had let her out.

At the end of the hearing Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit upheld the request for bail against a deposit of €500 and a personal guarantee of €8,000.

Inspectors Joseph Busuttil and Sylvana Briffa are prosecuting.