Five years jail for attempted robbery on Gold Market jewellers

A 36-year-old man from Marsascala was this morning jailed for five years after he was found guilty of an attempted robbery on Gold Market jewellers Michael and Silvio Mizzi in December 2010. The accused, Darren Debono, was injured during the hold-up outside the jeweller’s home in Attard. Three hooded men had approached the Mizzis as they were entering their home in Old Railway Road and demanded a suitcase one of them was carrying. A struggle ensued and Mr Mizzi Snr was hit on the head with a blunt object, possibly a pistol butt. His son grabbed one of the attackers' pistols and shot Mr Debono in his leg. Mr Debono, who is also allegedly involved in the attempted hold-up at the HSBC depot in June 2010, when he was also shot and injured, was today also charged with stealing a Toyota Liteace, stealing number plates, making a false declaration, damaging the van, handling stolen property and relapsing.