Family still waiting for justice, eight years on

The daughter of a 77-year-old British tourist killed in a hit-and-run accident in Qawra eight years ago has spoken out about the “torture” her family is going through due to court delays and countless adjournments that saw her mother’s case drag on unnecessarily.

“Time passed, but for us, as a family, that time has been torture. We’re still here waiting for justice. I’m speaking out to raise awareness that there’s a family behind these cases that take so long. I can honestly say it’s the last thing I think about when I go to bed, and the first thing in the morning,” says Liz Gibson, 60.

Her mother, Elizabeth Tucknutt Whilems – who she is named after – was run over by a speeding car in Qawra on June 26, 2011, while on holiday.

Ms Tucknutt Whilems was crossing the road with her 78-year-old husband Maurice – who passed away two years later – when a car zoomed past.

Two days after the accident, Mel Spiteri, 18 at the time, was charged with her involuntary homicide and, three years later, he was found guilty and condemned to a two-year jail term, a €2,330 fine and a one-year driving ban.

Mr Spiteri appealed and, last week, the Court of Criminal Appeal declared the Magistrates’...