The compilation of evidence against four men, who are being charged with living off the earnings of prostitution and with acting as pimps, continued yesterday, as police inspector Josric Mifsud told a court how a foreign woman was “sold” for prostitution purposes.

In November last year, Josef Camilleri, 30, from Gharghur, Clemenzju Zerafa, 56, from Ghajnsielem, Fernando Veneziani, 27, from Gharghur and Anthony Muscat, 32, from Munxar, were granted bail after they pleaded not guilty to living off immoral earnings and conspiring to bring Leila Cadri to Malta for prostitution.

They were also charged with conspiring to commit a crime and to managing a brothel, while Mr Camilleri alone was accused of using two residences in Gharghur and Bugibba, as well as the Gharghur Football Club premises, for prostitution purposes.

Mr Zerafa was also charged with using two residences, including his house, for prostitution purposes, while Mr Muscat was charged with serving as an accomplice to the crime and to luring the woman into prostitution.

Before Magistrate Jacqueline Padovani, Inspector Mifsud said that Romanian national Leila Cadri used to live in a residence belonging to Mr Camilleri in Bugibba. The accused had then “sold” Leila Cadri to Mr Zerafa, who had in turn taken her to Gozo for prostitution purposes.

The police inspector said that Mr Veneziani had told the police that he used to pity Ms Cadri and had tried to help her, but still “used” her to serve clients in a number of areas.

The case continues.

Police inspectors Raymond Aquilina and Josric Mifsud are prosecuting.

Dr Joseph Giglio, Dr Giannella Caruana Curran, Dr Manwel Mallia and Dr Franco Debono are appearing for the accused.