A 26-year old man has been given a two-year suspended sentence for shooting another man in the back at close range in a bar in Paceville after the other man put an arm around his girlfriend.

David Johnathan Spiteri from Pembroke was found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm in the attack on Mark Debono in the early hours of August 24, 2007 at Footloose bar in Paceville. He was also found guilty of holding a firearm without a licence.

The court heard how the victim had gone to the bar with friends after work. There he was introduced to a woman who turned out to be Mr Spiteri’s girlfriend.

Mr Spiteri arrived later and, according to his own statement, grew agitated when he saw Mr Debono sitting with his arm around his girlfriend. He left the bar, grabbed a pistol from his car, loaded it, returned and shot Mr Debono as he stood at the bar.

Mr Spiteri gave himself up to police a few hours later and admitted to having shot Mr Debono. The weapon was found in his car.

The victim was hospitalised and operated to remove the bullet but he suffered no permanent injuries.

Mr Debono and his aggressor did not know each other before the incident and did not fight or argue before the shooting took place.

According to a psychiatrist, Mr Spiteri was suffering from drug induced psychosis at the time of the attack. In the years since, he was also diagnosed with impulse control disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder.

In reaching its verdict, the court considered Mr Spiteri’s mental state and the fact that the victim had since forgiven his aggressor.

Magistrate Josette Demicoli also noted that Mr Spiteri had given up drugs and alcohol and had no further run-ins with the law.

Nevertheless, in light of the seriousness of the offence, he was sentenced to two years in prison suspended for four years, and issued a supervision order.

Michael Sciriha and Lucio Sciriha appeared for the accused.