A high ranking police officer was yesterday charged with accepting bribes to exercise his influence on decisions taken by the police over the past six years - a case described by the prosecution as a blow to the police force.

Superintendent Patrick Spiteri appeared under arrest before Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera and pleaded not guilty to accepting bribes, extortion, abusing his authority and disclosing official secrets.

Mr Spiteri, 49, of Fgura - who has now resigned from the force - also pleaded not guilty to complicity in clandestine lotto, stealing a shotgun from the Valletta police station on Saturday at 7 p.m. and committing crimes he was duty bound to prevent.

Lawyer Joseph Giglio, for Mr Spiteri, made a request for bail. However, Assistant Commissioner Michael Cassar, prosecuting with Inspector Angelo Gafà, objected saying that this was a very serious crime committed by a high ranking police officer.

He added that apart from being a blow to the police force it diminished the public's trust in the police.

Besides, he added, there was the risk that Mr Spiteri would influence witnesses, some of whom may be accomplices.

Dr Giglio replied that although he appreciated the concerns of the prosecution, in that this was a blow to the force, this should not have a bearing on the granting of bail.

On deciding on bail the magistrate ought to take into account whether or not the defendant might abscond, whether he would observe bail conditions and if he might tamper with evidence.

Since the accused was involved in the police he was very sensitive to these issues. Apart from that, the lawyer said, one had to take note of his safety, as sending him to jail would mean putting him with convicts he himself may have investigated.

Magistrate Scerri Herrera granted Mr Spiteri bail on condition that he does not leave his home unless by permission of the court.

She bound him by a Lm1,000 deposit and a personal guarantee of Lm5,000.