Liam Debono, the teen who ran over police sergeant Simon Schembri in 2018, has launched a constitutional request demanding moral damage since his right to a fair hearing has been breached ahead of his trial over the incident. 

Debono, through his lawyer Joe Brincat, is arguing that discourse from journalists, other media, and the public-at-large has influenced the prospective jury, removing his right to a fair trial.

In May 2018, Debono ran over Simon Schembri in Luqa after the police sergeant stopped him upon finding out that he had been driving without a seatbelt or a license. The hit-and-run incident forced Schembri to amputate his arm.

The young man is currently serving a five-year prison sentence for breaching bail conditions imposed following the 2018 incident.

Debono has also filed a court application over that sentence, claiming that he was unable to file an appeal since his former lawyer has renounced the brief. 

No lawyer was willing to take on the case and Brincat is working for Debono pro-bono. He had been assigned a legal aid lawyer, but that lawyer was not authorised to file an appeal.

What do you think of the request? Comment below