A prison inmate with the word ‘Bomba’ tattooed across his forehead pleaded guilty to calumny and filing a false police report and insisted with the court he wanted to get what he deserved.

Anthony James thanked and saluted Magistrate Aaron Bugeja in military style after being sentenced for 18 months in jail.

Mr James first informed the court he wanted to drop the case and the magistrate patiently explained that he was now the accused and was therefore unable to withdraw the false report.

Despite being repeatedly advised to seek the assistance of a legal aid lawyer and that such assistance could even see him being declared innocent or found guilty of a lesser charge, Mr James obstinately refused.

He insisted he wanted the case cut short and demanded to be sentenced there and then.

The court was told Mr James had made a scene in prison when he saw his son, Sylvester, also an inmate, being led away by warders following an argument.

He removed his watch and scratched himself on the arms with the strap’s buckle. He then filed a report claiming that he had been beaten up by the warders

Mr James was then, in turn, grabbed by the armpits by warders and locked in a room until he calmed down.

He removed his watch and scratched himself on the arms with the strap’s buckle.

He then filed a police report claiming that he had been beaten up by the warders.

Magistrate Bugeja warned Mr James that, taking into account the charges and the fact that he was a repeat offender, he could face a maximum sentence of imprisonment for up to four years.

“U iva rranġa, sir,” (Okay, go ahead, sir), Mr James replied.

The court found him guilty of all the charges against him.