A police constable had admitted before the Commissioner of Police that he accepted bribes in order to inform three hunters of the movements of officers of the Administrative Law Enforcement Unit, a court was told today.

Police Superintendent Mario Spiteri was giving evidence about police statements made by PC Kenneth Sevasta, 39 of Marsascala, who is pleading not guilty to having accepted the bribes.

Superintendent Spiteri said that after he had spoken to the three hunters Eric and Glenn Scicluna and Roderick Stabile, he interrogated Mr Sevasta. However the constable exercised his right not to answer questions.

(Glenn Scicluna and Roderick Stabile admitted bribery charges last week and were jailed for 18 months. They have filed an appeal. Eric Scicluna is contesting the charges).

Later, however, Police Commissioner John Rizzo spoke to Mr Sevasta who admitted everything and said he had accepted money in exchange for information because he had serious financial problems and could not pay his electricity and Melita bills.

He had admitted before the Commissioner to having on different occasions, accepted €150 and €50 in cash, as well as €200 in Chain Supermarket vouchers and a new mobile phone.

The trial continues. Mr Sevasta is currently suspended on half pay but was not charged under arrest.

The Times reported in August that some five police officers were embroiled in an investigation involving a hunter who would soon be charged with bribery and who managed to obtain a licence to work as a security guard, despite a damning criminal record.

Two other officers were disciplined for not following procedures correctly regarding the same case.

Meanwhile, at least two other officers are being investigated for overlooking or tampering with the hunter’s criminal record when issuing him with a licence to work as a security guard.

He made bribery allegations when he was questioned last April for illegal hunting. Police Commissioner John Rizzo is heading an internal police investigation into the matter.