Man accused of human trafficking threatened to burn house with women inside
Accused faces long list of charges as defence argues he was a 'reformed' person
A man facing a raft of charges including human trafficking, threatened to set fire to a house with two women inside it if they reported him to the police.
Jeremy Borg, a 24-year-old resident of Qormi, appeared before Magistrate Donatello Frendo Dimech and charged with 15 accusations linked to human trafficking, money laundering, breach of court order, keeping a person against their will, managing a brothel and drug trafficking.
He was also accused of recidivism and breaching bail conditions, amongst other charges.
He denied all charges.
Police inspector John Spiteri told the court how Borg called a woman while she was on her way to the police station and allegedly threatened to set fire to the house with two other women inside it if she did not return home immediately. She complied.
However, later that evening, the accused allowed the three women, who are from Venezuela and Colombia, to book a flight out of Malta. They booked a taxi to the airport but on the way, they stopped at a police station to report him.
The defence requested bail, but the prosecution objected, arguing that the accused is well known to the court and has several pending cases.
The prosecution also argued that there was a fear that the evidence would be tampered with, especially since the victims had already tried to report Borg on previous occasions.
Defence “surprised” by accusations
Defence lawyer Jason Grima said he was “surprised” by the long list of accusations against Borg, as he was a “reformed” person and had changed for the better over the past years.
He said just a few days before Borg was arrested, his probation officer said he was doing “very well”.
“All the hard work he has built will be lost,” Grima said, adding how such accusations would make it difficult for Borg to find employment once again.
The court rejected the request for bail, arguing that the victims still need to testify. A freezing order was issued against Borg.
Police inspectors John Spiteri and Dorianne Tabone prosecuted, together with Attorney General lawyers Ramon Bonett Sladden and Michael Muscat. Lawyer Jason Grima appeared for the accused.