A school handyman was so upset at the headmaster for not allowing him to bring his children to his workplace during the holidays that he jumped onto his desk and attacked him.

Mario Vella, 53, was called into headmaster James Camilleri’s office at Erin Serracino Inglott girls’ secondary school in Cospicua in August 2009.

He was told that his teenage children had been caught on CCTV letting down one of the tyres on the head’s car. The handy man was therefore ordered not to bring the children with him to the school anymore.

Mr Camilleri testified that after Mr Vella was told of his decision, he walked out of the office only to return in a fit of rage. Shouting, he jumped onto his desk and lashed out, hitting the principal in the stomach.

Members of staff could not get into the office because the door was locked. When they managed to force it open it took three men to hold Mr Vella back.

Mr Vella told the court he had gone to the headmaster’s office to tell him that if his children were not allowed to come to school with him, he would go out on leave.

He denied locking the door and said the headmaster shut it with a bang, trapping his fingers and injuring him. However, Mr Vella was not able to produce a medical certificate which he claimed to have.

The court said the headmaster’s version of events had been corroborated by other members of staff. It found the accused guilty on all counts except for holding the headmaster against his will, and sentenced him to six months in prison suspended for two years.