A man who was on probation when he trashed his ex-girlfriend’s apartment after a break-up was yesterday placed on probation again.

Marco Vassallo, 42, from Vittoriosa, pleaded guilty to threatening the woman in July 2013, causing her to fear that violence will be used against her, misusing communications equipment and breaching the conditions of a probation order handed down just five months before.

Magistrate Josette Demicoli heard how the man smashed the front door and ruined anything in his path, including a large television.

The court ruled that, given the circumstances of the case and given that the man needed help to ensure that such incidents do not happen again, his probation order was being restarted.

The magistrate took into consideration the fact that he had paid for all the damage he caused. She also issued a protection order in favour of the woman against a €1,000 fine in default.