Failed bank heist suspect refused bail again

A man charged over the attempted heist of the HSBC headquarters last June was denied bail yesterday for a second time after a judge ruled there was the fear he could tamper with evidence.

Mr Justice David Scicluna turned down the bail request by Vincent Muscat, pointing out that three witnesses in the case still had to testify.

Mr Muscat, 48, had been granted bail about four weeks ago but was re-arrested on appeal last week.

Mr Muscat and Darren Debono, 33, are facing 18 charges that include the attempted murder of two police officers who foiled the June 30 attempted robbery, which ended up in a shootout with policemen outside the bank.

Magistrate Edwina Grima had granted Mr Muscat bail against a €5,000 deposit and a personal guarantee of €15,000. However, the Attorney General appealed and the ruling was overturned.

Mr Muscat filed another request for bail before Mr Justice Scicluna yesterday but it was turned down.

During the June 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 Mr Debono turned up at a private clinic asking to be treated for a bullet wound to the jaw.