`When I last saw victim he was dancing` - sailor

A French sailor serving on the Jeanne d`Arc yesterday told a court that the last time he saw his colleague, he was dancing at a Paceville bar and did not recall there being any problems with the bouncers.

"I left the bar after sharing a bottle of vodka with (Theophile) Hoata. When I last saw him he was dancing. While I was with him, Hoata did not argue with any bouncers and did not suffer any injuries. I only learnt what happened to him the next day," Hervi Tepa said.

He testified before Magistrate Jacqueline Padovani-Grima in the compilation of evidence against bouncers John Fiteni, 34, of Marsa; Martin Fiteni, 39, of Swieqi; Tonio Zampa, 37, of Valletta, and Frank Calleja, 32, of Mgarr.

They are pleading not guilty to seriously injuring Hoata at the Footloose Bar in Paceville last Saturday morning and breaching the peace.

Tepa testified with urgency yesterday morning before the Jeanne d`Arc set sail from Malta.

He said that on Friday night, at about 11 p.m., he met Hoata in a bar situated opposite Empire discotheque. He drank a whisky, then shared a bottle of vodka with Hoata and went back to the ship because he had work the following morning.

Tepa did not remember what time he left the bar.

The case continues.

Police Inspectors Jeffrey Cilia and Martin Sammut are prosecuting.

Dr Martin Fenech is appearing for the defendants.