A court yesterday heard two men explain they required an invalidity pension and that an elderly woman had told them she could help them if they paid her Lm600 (EUR1,397) each.

Saverin Sinagra, 71, from Zejtun, stands accused of bribing a public officer to help people obtain invalidity pensions and accepting bribes from third parties to manipulate public officers. The incident allegedly happened on and before June this year.

John Camilleri and Mario Cachia testified before Magistrate Edwina Grima, saying Ms Sinagra had told them she could help them obtain the invalidity pension, but that she would have to pay Lm600 (EUR1,397) to be able to do so.

Mr Camilleri, a former employee of Malta Shipyards, said he had visited Ms Sinagra at her house and had filled in an application. The woman had told him to visit a doctor, who in turn issued a medical certificate for him to be able to go out on sick leave.

He said he had been told that Ms Sinagra could help him obtain an invalidity pension, which he eventually did and started receiving half his salary.

However, he still needed the green light from the Health Ministry, so he had desperately asked Ms Sinagra to help him out further as he was having financial difficulties.

The accused had advised him to contact Thomas Woods, who worked at the ministry; she later told him Mr Woods had requested the money, which was supposed to be divided among a number of people.

Mr Camilleri said he did not want to pay and had told the accused to cancel the whole process, which Ms Sinagra did after contacting Mr Woods.

When the witness spoke to the doctor about the situation, the latter denied any involvement with Ms Sinagra and sent Mr Camilleri to approach ministry representatives.

The witness added that some time later, he had spoken to a certain Paul Catania, who had advised him to speak to Mr Woods.

When he did, Mr Woods confirmed that his application had been cancelled, said Mr Camilleri, adding that he later got to know from Mr Catania that Mr Woods had cancelled his application because he was known to be a Labourite.

The case continues.

Police Inspector Joseph Cordina is prosecuting. Dr Kris Busietta is appearing for Ms Sinagra.