A 33-year-old Maltese woman allegedly locked up an intellectually disabled woman for nine years with a bucket and two dogs for 17 hours a day, a court heard today.

The woman, Anna Maria Jimenez, pleaded not guilty to threatening the 39-year-old person with disability, locking her up, assault and causing slight injuries.

She is also charged with threatening another flatmate who had been living with her for five months. The court heard that police launched investigations following an alert given by an Appogg social worker who was informed by the newer flatmate.

The court was told that the accused helped the newer flatmate get her job as a cleaner, however pressured her to pay more rent and give her credit card details.

The police were informed by the flatmate that the accused destroyed her phone’s SIM card to cut her off from her family and friends.

The 39-year-old was given Playmobil parts to assemble while being locked in the room, which also contained a bed and that she was forced to use the bucket as a lavatory.

The police said that the 39-year-old with an intellectual impairment told them she was happy to have the Playmobil parts as it gave her something to do while being in solitary. The court heard how the Playmobil dolls were sold to the factory.

The Defence argued that the accused and the person with disability had lived peacefully for nine years however that something happened when the new flatmate moved in. It hinted that the newer flatmate was jealous of the accused’s partner, who is police officer. The defence requested bail however it was denied, stating that the woman with disability was a vulnerable witness. The court called for the accused’s flatmate as well as the disabled woman to the next sitting and, following this, there could be the possibility of bail.

The court ordered a protection order for the proceedings.

Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera presided.