A 27-year-old alcoholic with psychiatric problems spent last night in jail to learn what his future would be if he did not change his ways.

The man, who is not being named to protect his identity, is under psychiatric care, Magistrate Giovanni Grixti heard.

The magistrate said he wanted the man to know what life was like behind bars, which may give him a better perspective on his behaviour.

The man was charged yesterday over a drunken brawl in which two men were slightly hurt and officers were attacked and injured as they tried to arrest him.

The incident took place on Monday night when the man was told to leave a Buġibba bar because he was so drunk and became violent, slightly injuring two men. The police went to arrest him at home and he threw a sergeant to the floor, breaking the officer’s watch.

Lawyer Veronique Dalli said her client was admitting to the charges and asked the magistrate whether he would consider a plea bargain.

He replied that by law he was bound to listen to their submissions and nothing more. Plea bargaining could only be considered in the Criminal Court before a judge, he noted.

Magistrate Grixti said he thought that the man should be placed under the strict guidance of a probation officer and postponed judgment until this morning, after the alcoholic had spent the night in prison.

He said the time should serve him well.