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Updated | Bailed HSBC shooter caught again
Known criminal Darren Debono, 36 of Marsascala has been hospitalised with a bullet wound to his leg, just four weeks after being released on bail by a Magistrate that defied police recommendations.
3 December 2010, 12:00am
Karl Stagno-Navarra
Karl Stagno-Navarra
2 min read
Debono - who had been injured by a bullet in the jaw after opening fire on police during a foiled hold-up on the HSBC headquarters in Qormi on June 30 - this time was injured in the leg by a bullet from his own gun, as he was challenged by a jeweller who resisted an attack in Attard.
The incident happened at 8.30 pm in Triq il-Linja in Attard, when the jeweller was returning home after closing his shop.
Debono, together with another two - so far unknown persons - ambushed the jeweller while he entered his home with his elder son.
The jeweller was struck on the head with a revolver handle. During the commotion, the jeweller's son ran out and faced his father's assailants, managed to disarm Debono and turn the gun on him, pulled the trigger and shot him in the leg.
While the two accomplices ran away, Debono lay in pain on the ground until police arrived and arrested him.
The jeweller was also hospitalised and treated for a severe wound to his head. A van used by the suspects was found abandoned in the Ta' Qali area later at night.
The area was sealed off, while the Duty Magistrate conducted an on-site inquiry, assisted by forensic experts.
Just weeks ago, 33 year-old Darren Debono, known as ‘it-Topo’, was granted bail for the second time against a deposit of €5,000 and personal guarantee of €15,000 – and be indoors by a certain time.
Debono and his accomplice Vincent Muscat known as 'il-Kohhu', are each facing a total of 18 charges.
The first bail decision, issued on September 28, was revoked by an Appeals Court that upheld an urgent request filed by the Attorney General who reacted to the news revealed by MaltaToday that a ‘dangerous suspect’ had been released.
A fresh application for bail this time by both suspects was heard yesterday, and was granted by magistrate Edwina Grima. Another previous attempt by Muscat to be freed on bail was revoked in November by Judge David Scicluna.
Darren Debono still has splinters from a return shot fired from a police officer’s pistol during the dramatic shoot-out lodged in his jaw.
During the HSBC incident, three men, wearing wigs and fake moustaches had entered the HSBC building in Qormi at about 7.30 p.m. The police arrived on the scene after receiving a tip-off about suspicious activity at the building and, on their arrival, a vehicle, parked in front of the bank, sped off with the officers giving chase.
Three men were still inside the bank when someone called for help and the officers returned. When the intruders tried to leave, a shootout erupted in which about 60 bullets were fired. During the commotion, a second getaway car managed to escape with all the intruders.
Arrests started being made when Debono turned up at a private clinic asking to be treated for a bullet wound to the jaw.
Priscilla Darmenia •
In my opinion, the courts, instead of making their utmost to protect us citizens, are more concerned to apply the comma and full-stop of the law and seeing only up to the end of their noses instead of using their common sense (which, unfortunately, is not common at all).
Although the accused and his accomplices fired more than 60 shots at the police, the learned magistrate thought it fit to let him free. She felt that he was no threat to society.
There was a public outcry on that day against the decision of the magistrate. Not even the Minister responsible for Justice bothered to say anything. It is only now that he opened his mouth and said that there should be a revision of the way pledges are given. Mr Minister, lucky no one died. You should have taken the action immediately.
Now we have the proof that the magistrate’s judgement was very faulty (supporting the general public’s opinion) and she showed that she is incapable to evaluate a situation which may put the citizens at risk, in my opinion Parliament should bring up this magistrate case for discussion and with a unanimous vote remove her from her duties.
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No wonder the Police get disheartened sometimes by the behaviour of the Courts. They risk their lives and hardened criminals, like this one, gets out on bail. Magistrates and Judges are responsible to society and to God himself.
Pity this one was hit (only) in his leg....
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kemm tixraqlu is-suit nahseb dan al qorti biss izanzana, apparti li zaqqu mqabbza taht ic-cintorin ax jixrob hafna birra tghid? hahahaha mur l-habs u armulu ic-cwivett
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Mhux sewwa li l-gazzetti jgħidu li huwa minn Marsascala. Nies bħal dawn aħna ma kellnix qatt fl-istorja tal-villaġġ tagħna fejn kulħadd familjari ma' kulħadd.
Issa qed nintlew b'delinkwenti u nies bla skrupli u imbarazz li ma jridu ħadd wara biebu u jiġu joqogħdu għal ftit xhur f'wieħed mill-eluf t'appartamenti li hawn fuq żaqq is-sidien sakemm imorru f'ieħor.
Il-ġurnalisti jmisshom jiktbu "currently residing in Marsascala" u mhux "of Marsascala." Mhux sewwa li jagħtu isem ħażin lil lokal li ma għandu x'jaqsam xejn mat-trobbija ħażina tagħhom.
Albert Zammit •
I think that the Courts, or whoever the Judge was who allowed this individual to be free, should be called to explain him/herself. It is absolutely disgusting and shameful that the Courts are themselves not found liable for anything! This person should have never been given parole! Never!
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A couple more attempted robberies like this and we won't even have to bother with a trial any more.
Anton Portelli •
never a dull moment in this country
this shows how are lawcourts are not protecting joe citizen
my reading of the situation was that after granted bail there was an uproar by the society , the courts revised it decision but the final decision showed that the court did not want to be influenced by the public and decided to proceed on its own accord.
the law courts have more to answer than the alleged criminal himself... shame shame shame
bob •
Wow!!! U lili magistrata ila tikkalpestani ghal dawn is-snin..le le miniex kriminal..l-uniku tort?!! tieghi ghax ili ma nohrog mid-dar ghal dawn l-ahhar erba snin minhabba sahti!!! Sirt naf issa li l-multa ikkonvertita f'HABS!!! FUQ KOLLOX MIN KIEN RESPONSABLI KIEN AVZAT MIN QABEL LI MA NISTAX NATTENDI, ANKE IZ-ZEWG SEGRETARJI TAGHHA!!! IMMA KIEN MOHHOM AKTAR
F-AFFARIJIET OHRA!!! informazzjoni aktar fil-blog tieghi:-
http://www.myspace.com/tonyscott1951/blog
MILLI JIDHER F'DAL PAJJIZ AHJAR TKUN KRIMINAL GHAX TIGI AKTAR RISPETTAT!!!
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After the debacle of the corrupt Chief Judge and his judge mate, this is an other proof that in Malta we have Law Courts resembling those of Palermo! The Justice Minister should resign: instead of directing the cannons against hardened criminals,outrages bail-outs and judgements,he is a full time crusader against those who are suffering because of their broken families.
Luke Camilleri •
Put the Magistrate in the same cell with Debono!
Accountability should also be for these dispencers of supposed justice in the sentences they dish outwhich should reflect the crime and the hardship losses and risks the victims and innocent by-standers suffer!
Michael Gauci •
The magistrate should not be given chance to resign, he should be SACKED IMMEDIATELY,maybe arrest him too and throw him in the clink.
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THE MAGISTRATE WHO PRESIDED DEBONO'S HSBC CASE IS NOT ABLE TO EVALUATE WHO IS HARMING THE SOCIETY AND SHOULD RESIGN!!
Karmenu D'Amato •
Min tah il- liberta provizorja missu jehhel parti mir- resposabilta ghal dak li gara ! Dawn il- magistrati suppost qeghdin hemm biex jipprotegu c- cittadini honesti li jharsu l- ligi u mhux biex jagevolaw lil min jikser il- ligi !!
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IN THE RIGHT WAY FAST PACED ................ to ANARCHISIM
where CITIZENS take the LAW into their OWN hands.
Lino Camilleri •
Kellu ragun il kummissarju. Ghanke il polplu malti skanta bid decizjoni tal qrati maltin. Issa min tah il liberta provizorja x'ghandu xi jghid?
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its a really shame on who gave him bail. who gave him bail should resign. immediatly. this criminal is dangerous. he is a psyco killer. i hope he get 40 years in prison cause for the 2nd time he did attempt murder!
big justice in malta who is reforming himself, and is playing football in maltese league, who had a drug habbit before we want to jail him and he reofrmed himself, and criminals like this are out! shame on you
