The mother and daughter undergoing trial on money laundering charges took the witness stand yesterday, in which they recounted how they used to deposit money earned by the father who is serving time in Italy.

Carmen Butler, 43, and her 22-year-old daughter, Stephanie Butler, a chambermaid, have been charged with money laundering. The police had started investigating the chambermaid after e57,500 (Lm24,000) was discovered in her bank account.

The police had also discovered another bank account in the chambermaid’s name, totalling e27,000 (lm12,000) after just five deposits.

Carmen Butler testified that she was aware that her husband had a criminal history, however, she never asked questions regarding the money he gave her to deposit, as she was afraid of him.

She confirmed depositing large sums of money in a local bank. Ms Butler also confirmed that her husband had bought a powerboat after Sicilian authorities had confiscated another one when he was caught smuggling irregular migrants.

For her part, Stephanie Butler said she never asked her mother about the enormous sums of money she used to deposit in her account in contrast to her income from social security funds.

Assistant Attorney General Aaron Bugeja prosecuted while Dr Anglu Farrugia and Dr Edward Gatt appeared for the defendants.