Updated: Darren Debono accused of violating bail conditions

Darren Debono was back in court this morning to face charges of having violated the bail conditions imposed on him following his arraignment for allegedly taking part in the attempted hold-up of the HSBC depot in Qormi.

Debono was accused of breaking bail orders to be home by 8 p.m. on December 3 - the day when he was shot in the leg during the hold-up on jeweller Michael Mizzi at Attard.

He admitted his role in the hold-up yesterday and remains under arrest.

The prosecution asked the court to confiscate the €5,000 deposit and the €15,000 personal guarantee made by Debono when he was granted bail.

During this morning's arraignment, defence counsel Joe Giglio noted that his client had yesterday admitted his involvement in the hold-up. Therefore he had not been at home. This was intrisically related to the attempted hold-up.

Inspector Anthony Portelli noted that in another case, it had been decided that a crime had to be proven before the accused could also be charged with breaching bail conditions.

Inspector Portelli then explained that Darren Debono had been ordered to stay at home between 8 p.m. and 7 a.m.

On December 3, at 8.15 p.m., he had gone to the site of the hold-up at Attard and found Debono being treated after having been shot.

Jeweller Michael Mizzi had also told him that Debono had hit him with an iron object in an attempt to steal his bag.

Debono had refused to answer questions and had refused to be assisted by a lawyer.

Evidence was also given by PS Kevin Grima who explained how he arrived at Attard at 8.35 p.m. and saw Debono on the floor with an injury to his lower body.

Mr Mizzi told the court that three men had attacked him at 8.15 p.m. He indicated Darren Debono as the person who had hit him with a wheel brace.

The case will continue in another sitting.