The man accused of the murder of Roderick Grech, known as iċ-Ċina, stabbed his victim after the latter turned aggressive when a drug deal went awry, a court was told today.

This information was revealed during the continuation of the compilation of evidence against Etienne Bartolo, 36, from Birkirkara, known as il-vojt.

The court heard how Mr Bartolo and Mr Grech met in the latter's car in Tumas Fenech Street, Birkirkara in the early hours of March 29.

Mr Grech had regularly supplied drugs to the accused who, however, on this occasion did not have the money to pay up.

Seated inside Mr Grech's car, Mr Bartolo had allegedly been gripped by fear when his supplier suddenly turned and punched him on the shoulder. It was at that moment that Mr Bartolo reportedly pulled out a penknife and stabbed Mr Grech.

This information was disclosed by two CID officers who this morning testified about the investigation following the discovery of the murder.

They said that at about 11am on March 30 they called at the home of the accused in Birkirkara but Mr Bartolo was out.accused's home in

They managed to phone him and told him to go to Rabat police station.

A search of the man's residence in Birkirkara revealed a grey slipper with blood on it.

Mr Bartolo was arrested at Rabat police station and taken to Police Headquarters where he refused legal assistance and released a statement where he admitted to having stabbed the victim when he turned aggressive because he was not paid for the drugs.

Mr Bartolo told the police he disposed of the penknife in a garbage bag in the vicinity. The weapon was never recovered by the investigators.

The accused later led the police to the clothes which he had worn on that fateful night. These were recovered from his wardrobe and handed over for forensic tests.

The case continues.

Inspector Kurt Zahra prosecuted.

Lawyer Edward Gatt was defence counsel.

Lawyers Franco Debono, Angie Muscat and Yanica Vidal appeared parte civile.