I'm off on a trip with Josef, victim told friend

The night Patricia Attard was murdered at Ta' Qali she received a phone call, while still at a bingo hall, and told a friend she was "off on a trip with Josef".

Attard's friend, a woman whose name cannot be published by court order, yesterday took the witness stand and explained that on the night Attard was murdered they had gone to the Club de Bingo, in Bugibba, together.

When they were near the machines Attard received a call on her mobile phone and when she ended the call she told the woman she was going on a trip with Josef. The woman said she knew that this Josef worked with Attard because she had seen him twice before but never spoke to him.

The woman was testifying in the compilation of evidence against Josef Grech, 32, of Balzan who is pleading not guilty to killing Attard in Ta' Qali on February 13 this year.

Magistrate Jacqueline Padovani Grima, who is presiding over the case, yesterday also heard several court experts submit documents and reports.

The case continues.