Setback for Berlusconi as judges refuse to halt sex trial

JUDGES in Milan have rejected a request by Silvio Berlusconi’s lawyers to put on hold a trial where he is accused of paying for sex with an underage prostitute, in a legal setback for the Italian prime minister.

Berlusconi’s lawyers had asked for the trial to be suspended until February, when Italy’s top court is due to decide which judges have jurisdiction.

A suspension would have bought time for the billionaire, who faces a string of trials and is also fighting to stave off a market crisis threatening to send Italy’s debt sliding out of control.