A man was yesterday handed an 18-month imprisonment sentence suspended for two years after pleading guilty to being a pimp to his partner. Nazzareno Lia, 45, residing in Cospicua admitted to living off the earnings of prostitution, and running a brothel at his residence. He also pleaded guilty to slightly injuring his partner and of frightening her. Lia, who is unemployed, has two children with the victim, whose name cannot be published by court order. They have been on and off in their relationship for 13 years. Mater Dei Hospital doctors filed a report when the woman was admitted for treatment. She later told the police that she no longer wanted to live the life she was living. Police inspectors Louise Calleja and Priscilla Caruana said the message that he must control himself, must get across.

The court, presided over by magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera told Lia to be very careful as he will no longer enjoy freedom, the minute he breaches one of the court imposed conditions. Studying his criminal record, magistrate Scerri Herrera noted Lia had been involved in a couple of fights and was found guilty of illegal hunting, and carrying a firearm without a permit, among others. The court issued a one-year protection order on the woman. He was ordered not to communicate with her for any reason. The couple’s two children are under a care order and reside at a children’s home.

Lawyers Jose Herrera and Veronique Dalli represented the accused.