A police inspector who, until recently, was stationed at the Sliema police station, has been indicted by a court over accusations that he accepted bribes.

Jason Francis Sultana, 34, from Sannat is also accused of committing a crime he was duty bound to prevent. He has been suspended from duty.

At the beginning of proceedings today, the court heard that the police officer had allegedly asked for €4,000 from a couple, who wanted to move to an apartment in Gzira which had just been vacated after its inhabitants were jailed.

Superintendent Alexandra Mamo said that on September 22, a certain Karen Busuttil had approached an officer at the Sliema station, making several allegations against the accused. Eventually Superintendent Mamo referred the case to Assistant Commissioner Martin Sammut, who gave the go-ahead for an investigation.

It later transpired that the couple who originally resided in the Gzira apartment had been convicted over prostitution following an investigation, led by Inspector Sultana.

Ms Busuttil and her partner said that when the place became vacant, they had been notified by the accused, who expected something in return. The couple told the police that Inspector Sultana had even written the amount of money he expected on a scrap of paper which he later destroyed.

The court heard how Ms Busuttil initially gave the accused €800, but he subsequently asked for more money until they the couple had forked out some €4,000 in total.

The case, being heard before Magistrate Anthony Vella, has been adjourned for January 14.