A young former drug addict who was bullied at school and abused drugs because he was vulnerable was placed on probation on Tuesday for damaging two cars and threatening two women after a magistrate heard that his addiction had led to a personality disorder.

The 22-year-old, who is not being named to protect his identity, is suffering from “a personality disorder with paranoid over valued ideation verging on the delusional and drug induced personality changes”.

Psychiatrist Mark Xuereb, said his patient had “poor coping skills and an inability to consider constructive options in order to address stressful situations, which is further compounded by his past use of drugs”.

Despite his loving background, he had been bullied at school and then began to hang out with the wrong crowd where he picked up his drug habit, Dr Xuereb said. He took drugs to cope with his vulnerability.

It was a shock to his parents when it was discovered he was taking drugs and he was encouraged to start a rehabilitation programme. Although he objected, he did start a programme.

Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera heard that his parents had always been very supportive of him until, one day, his character changed and he was not the person he used to be.

The man admitted to damaging two cars and threatening two women in incidents that occurred between May 17 and September 1, last year.

The magistrate placed him under probation for three years after taking into consideration the special circumstances of the case.