Two arts students from the Czech Republic ended their stay in Malta with a visit to the law courts after having decided to leave mementos of their artistic talent on the furniture at Malta International Airport.

Jan Olt, 27, and Martin Bohm, 25, were arraigned under arrest and charged with having voluntarily damaged third party property while waiting to catch a flight back home last night.

Magistrate Donatella Frendo Dimech heard Patrick Murgo, Chief Security at Malta International Airport, testify how the two young men were found painting graffiti on various items of furniture at airport.

The two were recorded on CCTV scribbling with indelible markers and were arrested by the police. Their 'artwork' was found in different areas of the terminal building, on the outer facade and even in the corridor of the public area.

When asked by the court to specify the total amount of damages caused by the vandal act, Mr Murgo pointed out that although the sum so far stood at €1,820, the damage on the benches still had to be determined after consultation with the manufacturer.

The court, after hearing the two youths plead guilty to the charges and after noting the photos and statement of expenses relative to the damage, declared the accused guilty and imposed a 15 month jail term suspended for 30 months.

"Wherever you are going to be, you have to act and conduct yourselves according to law," the magistrate told the two youngsters as they stood before her nodding their head to signify their understanding.

Inspector Darren Buhagiar prosecuted.

Lawyer Josette Sultana was legal aid.