A number of Scene of the Crime (SOCO) officers today testified in the case against Gheorge Popa, the Romanian national who is charged with stabbing his former partner, Yana Mintoff Bland, and her son, Daniel Mainwaring.

The incident had taken place on 24 October, at Ms Mintoff Bland’s Tarxien home.

Mr Popa, 39, is also charged with setting the house on fire.

A forensic officer who was tasked with photographing the scene said there was a lot of commotion when he arrived. Firemen were trying to put out the fire. Once the blaze had been tackled, the officer went inside, wanting to photograph all evidence before it could be disturbed.

The ground floor was gutted by the fire and part of the ceiling had collapsed. A number of blood stains were observed.

Another SOCO officer told the court he had recovered a knife from near the base of a tree outside the house.

A reddish liquid was dripping from the branches. The officers had not realised by then that Mr Popa was hidden in the tree. The officers said he then entered the house, following a trail of red liquid to the upper part of the building. There he found a lit cigarette stub and a mobile phone, which had been placed on the water tank.

A third officer, who was stationed at the Paola station, said he had accompanied an Inspector to the scene of the crime after reports of the violent incident came in. He said the police surrounded the residence to make sure that the aggressor had no way out. The officers then entered the house but found no one there. They were then told that the aggressor was up a tree. The man had given himself away by the dripping blood and because some pine cones fell down below him.

Mr Popa, who was injured, was brought down and photographed. Part of his intestines were coming out from a stab wound in his abdomen.

The compilation of evidence will continue in May.

Dr Benjamin Valenzia is appearing for Mr Popa. Lawyer Joseph Giglio appeared parte civile.