Lorin Scicluna was jailed for 8 years after jurors found him guilty, by six votes to three, of grievously injuring May Malimi in a hit-and-run incident on 1 February 2019.

He was also ordered to pay €6676.32 in court expert fees. Scicluna was seen crying and embracing his family following the sentencing.

The former soldier was acquitted of the remaining seven charges, including the murder of Ivorian national Lassane Cisse Souleymane and the attempted murders of Mohammed Jallow and Ibrahim Bah, who were shot in Ħal Far on 6 April 2019. 

Jurors returned not-guilty verdicts by eight votes to one on the murder and attempted murder charges. Scicluna was also acquitted of the attempted murder of May Malimi.

In handing down her sentence, Madam Justice Natasha Galea Sciberras strongly condemned Scicluna's actions, sending a clear message against racially motivated violence. The judge also took into consideration his former role as a soldier with the Armed Forces of Malta.

Judge Galea Sciberras explained that the racially aggravated offence carried a minimum prison sentence of 18 months and a maximum of 12 years, since the racial aggravating factor increases the punishment by two degrees from the original maximum of seven years. 

However, the prosecution had incorrectly increased the punishment by only one degree in the bill of indictment, specifying a maximum sentence of nine years.

The judge clarified that she was therefore bound by the sentencing range specified in the bill of indictment and could only impose a maximum sentence of nine years' imprisonment.

During Wednesday's sentencing submissions, the prosecution called for the maximum prison sentence, citing the severity of Malimi's injuries, the failure to assist him after the collision and the racially motivated nature of the incident. 

Defence lawyer Edward Gatt argued for a more lenient sentence, warning against allowing public outrage over Scicluna's murder acquittal to influence his punishment. He also highlighted the narrow six-to-three jury majority, the hardship Scicluna endured throughout the proceedings, his relatively clean criminal record and his cooperation with police.

Both the prosecution and the defence may appeal the sentence.

The prosecution was led by Attorney General lawyers Darlene Grima, Abigail Caruana Vella and Michaela Aquilina. 

Scicluna was represented by defence lawyers Edward Gatt, Kris Busietta and Alessandro Farrugia.

Madam Justice Natasha Galea Sciberras presided over the trial.