A 33-year-old Briton diagnosed with schizophrenia, who hit a man on the head with a bottle in Paceville, was yesterday given a suspended jail term after he declared that he was leaving the island.

The man, who spent the last 24 days in Mount Carmel Hospital receiving treatment, was here on holiday when the incident occurred a week before Christmas.

He is not being named because of his psychiatric problems. Police Inspector Luke Bonello told the court that following the incident, which happened at 5.30 a.m., the man was taken to Mater Dei Hospital where he was referred to Mount Carmel.

Legal aid lawyer Cedric Mifsud asked Magistrate Gabriella Vella to take into consideration the fact that the accused was a first-time offender, suffered from a psychiatric condition and admitted at the first given opportunity. He also informed the court that his client was expected to leave the country today.

Magistrate Vella handed down an 18-month jail term suspended for four years and warned the accused of the consequences of committing another crime.