“I choose not to answer,” replied PC Simon Schembri when asked in open court on Tuesday morning whether he had forgiven the underage driver who had mowed him down with his car in last May’s incident.

The policeman walked into the courtroom where the compilation of evidence over the attempted murder was scheduled to continue, taking his place at the witness stand, steps away from Liam Debono, seated quietly at the dock.

This was Mr Schembri’s second appearance in the proceedings after a request was made during yesterday’s hearing by the defence for him to be summoned again for further cross-examination.

Asked by defence lawyer Franco Debono to explain what led him to file last Friday's urgent application to stop Xarabank from airing a planned interview with Liam Debono, PC Schembri said that he had first been told by a colleague and close friend, Inspector Herman Mula, that there had been a request for him to make an appearance on the television show.

“At first I was somehow reluctant, but then I agreed,” Mr Schembri explained, adding that Peppi Azzopardi had paid him a 3-hour visit at home, chatting about his life and family and also taking comments from his wife and daughter.

PC Simon Schembri.

It had been agreed that the interview was to be recorded on a Sunday, Mr Schembri said, however he had experienced a sudden change of heart upon being told that Peppi Azzopardi also intended to interview Liam Debono.

“I took it badly. Peppi had not informed us the day before during his 3-hour visit about this,” the officer said, adding that the news had immediately made him change his mind. “I decided there and then that I would not go to Xarabank,” Mr Schembri declared, “even though Peppi called me later and tried to convince me otherwise.”

I took it badly. Peppi had not informed us the day before during his 3-hour visit about this.

“I was going to Xarabank as a citizen, I had every right,” said the officer, insisting that he had made it clear to Peppi Azzopardi from the very start that there was to be no mention of the court case.

“So isn’t Liam Debono also a citizen?” Dr Debono promptly asked, to which he got no reply.

Mr Schembri continued: “In fact, when Peppi asked me whether I had forgiven Liam Debono, I had told him that since Liam was part of the case, I would not reply.”

“Do you forgive Liam Debono? I am asking you this question now,” Dr Debono put in.

“I choose not to reply,” was the answer that brought the cross-examination to an end.

The case was adjourned to December.

Inspectors PierGuido Saliba, Chantelle Casha prosecuted. Lawyers Andy Ellul and Arthur Azzopardi appeared parte civile.