Briton damages ATM that took his card

An angry Briton who damaged an ATM after it gobbled up his cash card was condemned to a suspended jail term today after he admitted his crime and agreed to pay the damages.

Adrian Terence Attard, 43, - whose father is Maltese - told a court that 10 days ago the BOV cash machine in St Paul's Bay did not given him cash and retained his card.

When he called at the bank, he was told that the card had been sent to his UK address. His girlfriend wired him some money, but he could not access that either.

Mr Attard admitted in court that last week, in a fit of anger, and after having taken a few pints, he grabbed an iron bar and banged on the machine, damaging it.

He apologised for his actions and agreed to pay the damages.

The court sentenced him to a jail term of 13 months suspended for two months.