A British man with a learning difficulty and a severe drinking problem was yesterday handed a suspended jail term after he admitted to damaging his hotel room while drunk.

Standing barefoot in the dock and wearing a bright pink polo shirt and yellow Ralph Lauren shorts, Joey Bond, 36, at first pleaded not guilty to the charges.

He was accused of damaging several items in his room at the Soreda Hotel at 9.45pm on Thursday. The damage was estimated at €800.

Seeing him very agitated, Magistrate Miriam Hayman asked the accused what was wrong. He told the magistrate he had a learning difficulty and was receiving benefits in London. He said he was willing to pay for the damage but had to go to London to get the money.

He admitted he had a drinking problem that often landed him in trouble.

The magistrate warned him that he could not leave Malta until he paid for the damage he had caused.

Upon the request of his lawyer, Alessandro Lia, the court sitting was suspended for a few minutes so Dr Lia could consult with his client.

Once the sitting resumed, Mr Bond entered a guilty plea and promised to pay the damage by December 17, when he is expected to leave. “I don’t want to be locked up,” he told the court.

Magistrate Hayman jailed him for eight months suspended for 18 months and ordered him to pay the damages.

She patiently explained the punishment, including that he would be jailed for eight months if the damages were not paid by the day before his departure. She asked him to repeat what she had told him to ensure he understood.

Police inspector Godwin Scerri prosecuted.