Former AFM soldier Lorin Scicluna has been sentenced to eight years in prison after being found guilty of grievously injuring May Malimi and driving a vehicle without registration plates.The sentence was handed down on Thursday morning by Judge Natasha Galea Sciberras, just days after a jury acquitted the 29-year-old of the 2019 murder of Lassana Cisse Souleymane.According to TVM News, Scicluna was also ordered to pay €6,676.32 in court expert expenses.The judge stressed the importance of sending a strong message against racial hatred, particularly given that Scicluna was serving in the Armed Forces of Malta when the offence occurred.The court noted that while the applicable sentencing range would ordinarily extend to 12 years, an error in the Attorney General’s indictment meant the maximum sentence it could impose was nine years.Scicluna reportedly cried after hearing the sentence, later embracing his parents and girlfriend.The prosecution had requested the maximum sentence, arguing that the punishment needed to reflect the seriousness of the offence.Scicluna had been on trial over the killing of 42-year-old Lassana Cisse, who was shot dead in Ħal Far on 6th April 2019.Although the jury acquitted him of murder and attempted murder charges, it found him guilty of grievously injuring May Malimi and driving without registration plates.Francesco Fenech, another former soldier charged in connection with the case, has yet to stand trial.•