Two men have been cleared of running a brothel at a gentleman's club in Qawra after the court heard the prosecution declaring that they found no evidence of prostitution during a police raid.

The case dates to 2006 when the police raided Gentleman's Club AO in Qawra. Following the raid, the police arraigned John Bartolo, 46, from Mosta and Conrad Bonett, 40, from St Paul's Bay.

Magistrate Marseann Farrugia noted that the prosecution had admitted in court that they found nothing and no evidence that could link the club to prostitution or a brothel.

The court heard how the police found three skimpily dress women inside the club at the time of the raid. One was dancing in bikinis, another was speaking to a client on a sofa wearing just bikinis and a see-through top and the third woman was found inside the dressing room wearing panties and a bra.

Police Superintendent Neville Aquilina told the court that the police took action because of pole dancing activities and because the women found in the club were indecently dressed. Moreover, the court heard how the woman were employed and were being paid and were not being held there against their will or forced to do anything they did not approve of.

They were employed to dance at the club which is kept closed and not everyone is allowed to enter.

Based on the evidence heard in court, Magistrate Farrugia cleared the men of managing an outlet for prostitution service, of running a brothel and of committing immoral acts.

Police Inspector Louise Calleja prosecuted. Lawyer Edward Gatt appeared for the men.