Jean Fontaine and Bernard Havez (yellow T-shirt) leaving court yesterday after admitting tearing apart a wooden bench to repair a bed and have a barbecue. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

Two Frenchmen who broke a wooden bench to repair a bed and use the rest for a barbecue while drunk, ended up in the hot seat charged with vandalism.

They were arrested at about 5am yesterday while walking down the road carrying the wooden planks shortly after the police received a report about the vandalised bench situated opposite Ta’ Marija restaurant in St Julian’s.

Jean Fontaine, 20, a student, and his apprentice plumber friend, Bernard Havez, also 20, stood sheepishly in the dock assisted by an interpreter.

They declared they could not afford a lawyer and, so, legal aid Anthony Cutajar was appointed by Magistrate Gabriella Vella.

In submissions on punishment, Police Inspector Daryl Borg said the two cooperated with the police and admitted to the crime.

Dr Cutajar described the incident as just a youthful jaunt, adding that his clients regretted it and were willing to pay for any damages caused.

With tongue in cheek, the lawyer asked the magistrate whether the accused could hold on to the rest of the bench if they paid for the whole thing.

Magistrate Vella conditionally discharged the two Frenchmen for a year and ordered them to pay €370 between them. She warned them of the consequences of committing another crime.