Four dishevelled Romanian women who have been living in a car, this morning pleaded not guilty in court to selling false gold.

The four, aged between 19 and 39, pleaded not guilty to trying to sell what they knew was fake gold, in St Paul's Bay.

Inspector Therese Sciberras said the police had found 71 'gold' items hidden in false compartments and the lining of the dresses worn by the women. They consisted mostly of bracelets and necklaces. All were stamped as being real gold.

When the policemen arrived on the promenade, two of the women tried to run away.

Upon being arrested, they said they had purchased the items from Sicily. They claimed they had no money and slept on a beach.  However the police found that they were living in a friend's car.

The Romanians also claimed they lost their ferry return tickets.