Punishment would not solve social problems when it came to migrants, a magistrate said yesterday in response to a police request for a clear message to be sent.

Farah Hisi, 61, who resides in Ħal Far, admitted to damaging a police car while drunk and causing about €245 in damage while at the Marsa Open Centre.

Police Inspector Sarah Magri told Magistrate Anthony Vella that such incidents were happening too often and a message had to be sent that this was unacceptable.

Magistrate Vella noted that people in such circumstances were social cases and a court punishment would not change or solve anything.

He asked Mr Hisi how long he would need to pay for the damage and he replied a month would do.

He was sentenced to six months suspended for two years and was ordered to pay for the damage within three months.