A Filipino man claiming rape by two Egyptians made no mention of it on the night of the incident but told the police he was threatened with a knife, a court heard today.

This was confirmed by two police officers stationed at the Valletta station during the compilation of evidence against Ramy Gamal Elasrag, 33, who lives in Marsaxlokk and 24-year-old Helmy Mohammed Helmay Elmosaty, who lives on a boat. Both men are pleading not guilty to various charges, including sexual assault.

The court heard how on August 31 at about 11.30pm, the Valletta station was alerted about an incident at Ġnien il-Mall through a phone call.

Both officers testified that the Filipino claimed he had been threatened by the two aggressors, one of whom had allegedly brandished a knife and demanded his bag.

The court heard how the victim managed to escape but subsequently found a mobile phone on the floor, which turned out to be Mr Elmosaty’s.

When the police looked through the contents of the phone, they found a series of photos taken on the same day featuring the two alleged aggressors wearing the same clothes.

Asked by the defence if the Filipino man had made any reference to an attempted rape, both officers denied that the victim that night had made such claim.

The case is being heard before Magistrate Aaron Bugeja.

Inspector Jeffrey Scicluna is prosecuting whereas lawyers George Buttigieg and Graziella Attard are defence counsel.