Former inspector Daniel Zammit only learnt that the crime scene of a 2008 had been pulled down to make space for a block of apartments through the media, a court heard this morning.

Mr Zammit was testifying during proceedings against Stephen Caruana, who stands charged with the murder of Neville Baldacchino. The victim had been shot several times on the roof of the defendant’s home in Qormi.

In 2008, the court heard that Mr Caruana, who was asleep at home with his wife and four children, was awoken by a sound. He became frightened when he discovered Mr Baldacchino inside his home “illegally”, according to his lawyers.

The case was initially handled by Mr Zammit up to the compilation stage when he resigned from the force. The former inspector took the witness stand to answer questions put to him by lawyer Edward Gatt, who is appearing parte civile for the family of the victim.

Asked by Dr Gatt at what stage he had found out about the demolition of the murder scene, the former officer told magistrate Neville Camilleri that this happened after he had left the force, when he came across a media report.

The 35-year old former police inspector last year made headlines for the wrong reasons following the damning conclusions of an inquiry ordered by the Prime Minister.

In his report, retired judge Michael Mallia said that Mr Zammit had not declared a conflict of interest whilst investigating this murder and deemed such conduct as unethical.

It had emerged that Zammit carried out business transactions with the Gaffarena family and Joe Gaffarena’s daughter, Romina is married to the accused, Stephen Caruana.

Inspector Keith Arnaud is prosecuting while Lawyer Giannella Demarco is defence counsel. Lawyer Stefano Filletti is assisting Dr Zammit.