‘Wrongly’ jailed man says daughter should shoulder responsibility for perjury

Emanuel Camilleri says even though he forgives his daughter for lying under oath, he acknowledges that she has to shoulder responsibility for her actions

Despite forgiving his daughter, Emanuel Camilleri (pictured here leaving prison), has acknowledged that she must shoulder responsibility for perjury.
Despite forgiving his daughter, Emanuel Camilleri (pictured here leaving prison), has acknowledged that she must shoulder responsibility for perjury.

Emanuel Camilleri, the man who in 2012 was ‘wrongly’ jailed for two years after a criminal court found him guilty of defiling his daughter, Leanne, has insisted that even though he forgives his daughter for lying about him, she should nevertheless shoulder responsibility for her actions.

The remark was made by probation officer Antonia Spagnol this morning in the compilation of evidence against Leanne Camilleri, the daughter of Emanuel Camilleri.

Leanne Camilleri, 20, is pleading guilty to perjury and to lying under oath in the compilation of evidence against her 48-year-old father, Emanuel. The daughter subsequently recanted her allegations of defilement, while further medical exams carried out on the girl revealed that she was still a virgin.

Moreover, a constitutional court then released the man on an interim measure, while her mother is now being charged with inciting perjury and to lying under oath.

Despite admitting to the charges, Magistrate Doreen Clarke has ordered that a pre-sentencing report be compiled.

Presenting the pre-sentencing report, probation officer Antonia Spagnol explained to the court that when she interrogated the father, the latter told her that even though he forgives his daughter for lying under oath, he is aware that she [Leanne] has to shoulder her responsibility for her actions.

Moreover, the court heard how the accused’s parents separated when she was seven years old. Consequently, the probation officer explained, Leanne had a very difficult upbringing as her father was not around due to the separation.

The court also heard that Leanne was very angry at her mother, Lisa May Camilleri.

In her pre-sentencing report, the probation officer explained that Leanne Camilleri is now in a stable relationship and has two part-time jobs, and consequently argued that a probation would suffice.

“Leanne needs help. A three-year probation, and 100 hours of community service would suffice. Moreover, the court should order Leanne to seek psychiatric help,” the probation officer argued

Also present for the sitting was lawyer Martin Fenech, who is appearing in parte civile for the accused’s mother. During previous sittings, Fenech had objected to the accused’s guilty plea “should not hold water, because she [Leanne] needs psychological help.”

His request for the accused to seek psychological help before admitting to the charges was however turned down by Magistrate Doreen Clarke, who in turn argued that “the request was unjustified in light of the circumstances.”

Lawyers Tonio Azzopardi and Martin Fenech are appearing in parte civile, while Maxiline Ciantar is representing Leanne Camilleri. Inspector Sandro Camilleri prosecuted.