Testifying in court yesterday, Inspector Magri said that prison officials had suspected this man was bringing alcohol and other substances into prison, distributing them to the inmates and being paid in cigarettes.

The prison officials saw the warder leaving the prison with a bag in his hand. They reached him just before he entered his car and when they asked to search him, he said, “you are going to get me into hot water”, explained the inspector.

Mr Magri said the bag the warder was carrying contained about 60 packets of cigarettes. Upon interrogation, the man admitted he was illegally leaving prison grounds with cigarettes and claimed they were given to him by Martin Dimech, who has been convicted for his involvement in a hold-up. The warder accused said he had taken the cigarettes even though he does not smoke, the inspector continued.

The warder later changed his story and claimed that Dimech had given him the packets of cigarettes to sell outside the prison and bring back the money, said Mr Magri. The warder admitted he knew this was illegal but still agreed to do it. He said he had nothing to gain from this venture and Mr Magri said he had cooperated with the police investigation.

When questioned, inmate Martin Dimech denied ever giving the warder any cigarettes continued the inspector.

The court upheld the defence’s request to ban the warder’s name from being published despite the prosecution’s opposition.

The court was presided over by Magistrate Antonio Mizzi while Inspector Carmelo Magri prosecuted.