Informer's motive questioned

A British man accused of dealing in drugs yesterday told a court he was now aware that the man who sold him drugs had revealed his identity to the police but could not think why he had done it.

Glenn Andrew Gorman explained that he bought cannabis and ecstasy from his old friend Jeffrey Savage while he was on holiday in Malta but did not intend to resell the drugs.

He said he could not understand what he had done to Savage for the latter to want to report him to the police.

Gorman testified before Magistrate Jacqueline Padovani Grima in the compilation of evidence against Savage, 29, who is pleading not guilty to drug possession, trafficking and conspiracy on and before January 28.

Gorman and Anthony Paul Portelli are currently undergoing separate court proceedings over drug trafficking charges.

He yesterday explained he had come to Malta on holiday with Portelli and he bought cannabis and ecstasy from Savage whom he had known for some 15 years and from whom he had previously bought drugs.

Gorman said that on the day he was arrested, Savage had phoned him and asked him to meet him at the Magic Kiosk in Sliema.

The witness explained that he assumed that Savage had arranged the meeting to get paid but when he arrived at the meeting place he was arrested.

Under cross-examination, Gorman denied threatening Savage in prison but after further questioning he said he had once asked Savage why he had done this to him in an angry tone.

The case continues.

Police Inspector Neil Harrison is prosecuting.

Dr Giannella Caruana Curran and Dr Emmanuel Mallia are appearing for Savage.