A woman who is accused of locking up an intellectually challenged woman had told police not to follow her inside because of the stench, a court heard today.
PC Sherona Buhagiar took the stand against Anna Maria Jimenez, 33, who is pleading not guilty to locking up a 39-year-old woman, assaulting her, threatening her and causing slight injuries.
When the accused had been denied bail in September, she had asked for permission to obtain some clothes from her residence, PD Buhagiar testified. She had accompanied the accused to her residence in Birzebbuga. The accused had gone to get clothes from her bedroom and another room where the victim was allegedly being held for some 17 hours a day, with two dogs and a bucket to serve as a toilet.
PC Buhagiar said she was going to follow the woman inside but the stench was unbearable. The accused told her not to follow her because of the strong odours.
Police Inspectors Joseph Busuttil and Sylvana Briffa are prosecuting. Dr Joe Giglio and Dr Mario Spiteri are defence counsel.