A Filipino sailor killed after a fight nine years ago was kicked around "like a ball" by 10 people, a man testified this morning.

Michel Mifsud, whose father owns Cherries Bar in Birzerbbuġa, told the Court he witnessed the 44-year-old sailor, Perfecto Montalban being beaten up on the pavement outside the bar on Christmas Eve in 2000.

He was testifying in the trial by jury of Charles Demicoli who is pleading not guilty to murdering Mr Montalban after hitting him on the head with a bar stool.

Mr Mifsud said he had been asked to go to the pub because there was a massive fight and as soon as he got there, he saw the Filipino being kicked and the bar empty.

He said he propped Mr Montalban up against a wall and the police arrived moments later.

Mr Mifsud’s brother, Joseph, recalled the accused hitting the victim over the head with a bar stool after which he used pepper spray and the crowd dispersed.

His former girlfriend, Mandy Ellul, said she had seen Mr Demicoli hit the victim on the head with the stool.

The case continues.