Stiletto gentlemen's club owner Ronald Axisa has called on government to create proper regulations for such establishments during an interview relating to the police sergeant allegedly caught drinking in his establishment.

"This will help as at the moment no one knows exactly what is and what is not allowed".

He explained that prior to setting up the establishment over six years ago, he had gone to the Vice squad to ask whether such an establishment would be allowed, and if so what rules must be followed.

As such, they told him that 'table dancing' would be the only form of entertainment that would be accepted, in addition to a requirement of police once or twice a week checking the establishment is upholding the existing regulations and the papers of the employees (ensuring that they are up to date). He said that eventually it changed and the word 'table dance'was removed and the court deemed lap dancing in a private place not be immoral. "The courts also expressed their wish for government to regulate such establishments to inform them what they can and cannot do".

The alleged drinking incident

Turning to the recent issue regarding the policeman allegedly caught drinking inside his establishment, Mr Axisa was abroad at the time, however was informed by his manager of the incident and returned to Malta early.

"There are certain incidents where our security can handle the situation on their own, however there are other incidents, where a person becomes aggressive and the police must be called. The presence of police in such places is down to their obligation to come and help should they be called in for help. Seeing police in such establishments is not a strange event, they also come in to ensure that nobody is smoking indoors. There were occasions when they were offered a drink and they say no. This particular incident is quite ugly as a client is saying that he saw a policeman inside and claims he saw him taking a drink. Personally I think the police are human and during the Christmas period, if we offer the police a drink as a thank you for their work in helping control problematic situations throughout the year, I do not believe this is something out of this world. As to whether he had a drink I will not judge as I am not the Commissioner" he said.

He arrived back in Malta last Sunday, and gathered the information regarding the incident. His manager told him that there was a client in the neighbouring establishment also owned by Mr Axisa who had a small argument with someone. "The client then came to Stiletto to inform the manager that a person upstairs had a knife. The manager called in the police and told them of the incident between the client and the other person. The police searched the person and found a knife. The Manager also told me that the policeman was speaking with the manager at Stiletto right after this and a certain other person attempted to take a photo of the police officer however was stopped by the manager. Policy states that no photos are allowed in the club," he claimed.

"This person kept on insisting to take a photo of the policeman and was asked multiple times to exit the establishment. From what I heard this person could have been slightly aggressive and he was sent out with the help of the police who we called to help. Whether the person took a photo or not I have no idea".