Another was detonated at a Richmond brothel called Gaslight two days later.

A court was later told that detectives framed a Melbourne brothel owner with two bombings to protect the business interests of another brothel owner.

On November 11, 1991 the County Court heard how senior consorting squad detectives Paul Higgins and Brian Murphy planted explosives at Hamilton's home and the richmond brothel's office.

Each headed a three-man police team, the court was told.

Det-Sgt Higgins, 45, of Dandenong Rd, East Malvern, pleaded not guilty to five counts of conspiracy to obstruct justice and a count of conspiracy to pervert justice.

On August 9, 1978 five detectives led by Higgins and Murphy went to the Collingwood home of James Robert Slater at about noon, the Prosecutor Mr Robert Redlich, QC. said.

The court heard Higgins and other police received regular bribes and free sex to protect "brothel king" Geoffrey Lamb from the law.

The prosecutor, Robert Redlich claimed Higgins was the ringleader of a police protection racket between 1978 and 1983.

Mr Lamb testified that Higgins told him he had the whole consorting squad and most of the vice squad under his control.

Mr Redlich said Higgins and Det-Sgt Murphy had planted explosives at the home and office of brothel owner Slater on August 9, 1978, about a week after two bombings.