As the compilation of evidence against the Pace family regarding usury and money laundering continued on Thursday, the court heard testimony from a Nepalese national residing in Marsa.

The family of six are facing charges of a usury and money laundering operation, following a police raid that uncovered €120,000 in cash at two residences.

The witness stated that he has been renting a residence for about three years, sharing it with six other individuals. He explained that they pay €1,200 a month, excluding electricity and water bills. He noted that he knew some people who lived there before him, and when he arrived in Malta, they made the arrangements with a certain Chris, who was the landlord at the time.

The witness explained that the property is currently owned by Keith Pace, after Chris informed them in September 2024 that Pace had taken over the property. Pace subsequently introduced himself as the new landlord.

Moreover, the tenants would pool their money together and pay him entirely in cash. On some occasions, Pace's son, daughter, or wife would come to collect the money themselves.

When asked by the prosecution to identify the individuals he mentioned, the witness looked around the courtroom and pointed out Keith Pace, his wife Maria Grixti, and his son Carlos Pace, who were present in the dock, confirming them as the people who collected the rent. He added that he also recognised Keith's father, Lawrence Pace, who had come to collect the rent money on one occasion.

During cross-examination, the witness confirmed that Keith Pace was always friendly toward them whenever he came to collect the rent. The defence argued that the property mentioned by the witness had been passed down to Pace by his uncle, maintaining there was "nothing wrong" with Pace renting out the premises.

Meanwhile, a request for bail was made on behalf of Cleaven Pace and Carlos Pace. A friend of his testified that he was willing to act as a guarantor for Cleaven, and prepared to deposit €5,000 in court to secure his release from preventive custody, stating he had known him for three years and trusted him completely.

However, the prosecution strongly objected once again, describing the six defendants as "unreliable" and insisting they provided "no peace of mind" that they would not commit another offence. The prosecution also reminded the court that some witnesses appeared frightened or intimidated by the accused while giving their testimony.

The decree for bail will be decided behind closed doors.

The prosecution was led by Inspector Lianne Bonello, alongside Lawyers Neville Galea and Michael Muscat on behalf of the Attorney General.

Lawyers Franco Debono, Marion Camilleri, and Adreana Zammit appeared for the brothers and the father, while Lawyers Arthur Azzopardi and Jacob Magri represented the elderly co-accused.