A Bulgarian charged with stealing a mattress was treated as a slave and made to work for miserly rates in appalling conditions at a chicken farm, a court heard yesterday.

The Bulgarian, Yakubov Selvi Haka, 60, who lives in an abandoned factory, pleaded not guilty to the charges which also include stealing four bed sheets, two blankets, a pair of boots and an apron.

Making the claims, legal aid lawyer Cedric Mifsud told Police Inspector Joseph Busuttil he should be investigating the abuse his client had gone through, rather than the Bulgarian, who had taken what was rightfully his.

Insp. Busuttil told the court the police had received a phone call from the farm, in St Pauls Bay, claiming that an employee was caught stealing red-handed.

Magistrate Anthony Vella asked the inspector if the alleged victims were in court.

The inspector answered in the negative and Dr Mifsud charged that it was not in their interest to turn up, given the circumstances.

Dr Mifsud said his client was a scientist who had been made to work for €3.50 an hour, 17 hours a day, seven days a week.

He was given a room to sleep in, a mattress and four blankets but fed up with his work conditions he demanded €200 he was owed so that he could leave. However, he was only given €120. He moved into an abandoned factory taking with him his belongings.

The man was granted bail against a personal guarantee of €500.