A necklace belonging to Matthew Zahra, whose body was found buried in a field in Birzebbuga a year after he went missing in August 2012, has gone missing during the investigation, a court heard today.

Jason Galea, 39, of Marsa and Ronald Urry, 49, of Paola are pleading not guilty to the murder.

The necklace was mentioned in the compilation of evidence by witness Alfredo Attard who said that before burying Mr Zahra, Mr Urry had taken a gold necklace from around the victim’s neck but Mr Galea had asked him to put it back.

Stefano Filletti, appearing for the Zahra family, this morning made a formal request to the court for the necklace.

But prosecuting inspector Chris Pullicino said the necklace had gone missing during the investigation.

Lawyer Joe Giglio, speaking on behalf of Mr Galea, said the necklace was evidence and should not be released.