A Russian woman accused of murdering her daughter last February told the police in broken English and gestures that she had pinched the young woman’s nose and covered her mouth as she lay unconscious on the floor.

Tamara Boubekova, 58, gave the graphic description of 28-year-old Yulia Kalinina’s last moments as she was questioned following the gruesome discovery of the body by a next-door neighbour in the Xemxija flat.

During the court case, shocking evidence emerged as forensic experts spoke of how marks on the mother and daughter pointed to an incestuous relationship between them.

In proceedings yesterday, Police Constable Manuel Saliba said that he was present when the accused explained how she had pinched her daughter’s nose closed and then covered her mouth with her other hand, stopping her from breathing.

The victim was found by neighbours when they called at the flat to find out if everything was alright and found the accused in a terrible state. When they went into the flat they found the victim dead and a foul smell in the flat.

Ms Boubekova was released on bail in January.