Life convict sets fire to prison cell, threatening warders

David Norbert Schembri, 37 from Sliema, who is currently serving a life term in prison for brutally murdering Josette Scicluna, his former partner in 2004, appeared before Magistrate Antonio Mizzi this morning, charged with setting his cell on fire and threatening prison warders.

The incident happened last April when warders noticed smoke from Schembri's cell, and discovered his mattress and other items on fire.

While Schembri was evacuated from the cell and placed in solitary confinement, where he allegedly threatened two warders that what they had witnessed the day before was "just the beginning" and promised them that the "worst was yet to come."

An infuriated Schembri told warder David Abela to tell his colleague Godwin Agius to be cautious as "he had matters to settle" with him for tearing up his shorts and shoes.

Inspector Spiridione Zammit who investigated the incident, told the court that he went to Corradino Prisons to speak to Schembri.

"I found him to be very sarcastic in his replies to my questions, and then refused to continue talking to me," Inspector Zammit said, adding however, that Schembri stood up angrily and had to be restrained by Special Response Team (SRT) personnel.

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Warder Godwin Agius testified that during a search inside David Schembri's cell after it was burnt down, he found a container with human excrement inside, which - according to Schembri when asked about it - was to be thrown at warders.  

The warder said that they also found another container, this time with sperm, which Schembri had said he wanted to add acid to it and also throw it at a warder.

According to Agius, the inmate had told him that he would never hurt himself, but should he want to hurt somebody, that would be a warder.