Ex-convict with ambition to contest election suffers mental health problems

A former prisoner was taken to Mount Carmel Hospital last Thursday, hours before he was set to launch a new 'political party'.

It is understood he was taken there under a treatment order since he was missing appointments with his psychiatrist.

Daniel Lanzon, 24, who is awaiting trial for the attempted murder of an elderly woman, was planning to launch Il-Partit tal-Libertà (Liberty Party) last Friday even though he is not allowed to contest an election because of his criminal record.

Mr Lanzon had said he was trying to reintegrate into society and reform his ways after six years in and out of prison.

However, The Sunday Times has learnt that he has been accused of committing a number of recent crimes, ranging from multiple car thefts, stealing from churches, receiving stolen property and shoplifting. Some of the alleged offences were committed after he was released from jail in April last year.

In a recent interview Mr Lanzon had claimed he only "robbed to survive" since he had escaped an "abusive" child-care institution when he was around 12 and was forced to live on the streets.

But many of the crimes he is accused of were committed after 2003, (the year he turned 18) and one case took place in August last year where he is alleged to have stolen items from a church in Gozo.

The Sunday Times is informed he deceived the clergy at the parish into believing he was a clerical novice and wanted to spend the day with them. They fed him and kept him for the day, after which he allegedly stole objects from the church. There are at least three cases where he has been accused of stealing from churches.

In the case of the robbery and attempted murder of a 76-year-old woman, damning details have already been released during the compilation of evidence in the Magistrates' Court.

It was said that Mr Lanzon beat the woman up with a broomstick hitting her on her abdomen and legs. He also allegedly hit her with a glass bottle and tried to strangle her with a blanket after threatening her with death unless she handed over her money.

He claims he did this in retaliation because the woman had been abusive towards him.

Despite having several pending cases in the criminal court, he insists he is not to blame for what he has done because of a mental and behavioural problem.

Mr Lanzon had said he intended to represent people in Parliament and insisted he would take his case to the Constitutional court.

His party, he had pledged, would be the "voice of the voiceless", including single mothers and prisoners.

Mr Lanzon could not be contacted for further comment after he was taken to Mount Carmel.

cperegin@timesofmalta.com