The man accused with killing his business partner in Qormi on 16 September told the police that the victim kept for himself money with which he should have paid bills, an inspector testifying in court said yesterday.

This emerged yesterday during the first hearing of the compilation of evidence against Dione Mercieca, 46, from Birkirkara, who is charged with the murder of his business partner Martin Scicluna, 43. He is also charged with unlawfully carrying a firearm during the commission of a crime and using it in a public place.

Police Inspector Daniel Zammit took the witness stand before magistrate Miriam Hayman and read out excerpts from the statement Mr Mercieca gave the police after he was arrested.

The accused told the police that the business he shared with Mr Scicluna had been doing well; however, the victim had been nervous for the past nine months.

Inspector Zammit said he was informed that a murder took place at Scicluna Installations in Guzè Galea Street, Qormi. He was also informed that Mr Mercieca asked for police inspector Chris Pullicino, from the Homicide Squad, at the Police Headquarters, however, he did not find him there. He later gave himself in at the law courts.

In his testimony, Inspector Zammit said he saw the victim lying on his back with wounds on the head and chest. He spoke to Norbert Pace and cleaner Carmen Milovanovic, who said that the two men had quarrelled and Mr Mercieca left the building returning with a shotgun and fired twice at the Mr Scicluna.

Ms Milovanovic said she heard Mr Scicluna tell Mr Mercieca to take his stuff and leave. The accused, she said, left the building, walked to his car, loaded his shotgun and returned to Mr Scicluna's office.

The accused told the police that he used to carry his shotgun at this time of the year as he was fond of hunting.

Mr Scicluna's lawyers, Dr Joseph Giglio and Dr Beppe Fenech Adami, are expected to plead for bail in the next hearing scheduled on 3 October. Inspectors Zammit, Pullicino and Malcolm Bondin are prosecuting while Dr Tonio Azzopardi and Dr Gavin Gulia appeared parte civile.