A man stole a pick-up truck belonging to his wife's lover and slammed it into a wall in a fit of revenge, he told the police in a statement.

Raymond Borg, 45, of Rabat, yesterday pleaded not guilty to causing over €1,164 in damage to the vehicle, to driving recklessly and damaging government property.

In a statement to the police following the incident, he told how he had been approached by a friend last month bearing the bad news of his wife's affair.

When he confronted his wife she admitted to the affair, saying she had been secretly meeting another man for the past year, although not frequently.

When faced with the truth, Mr Borg told the police, he became depressed and could not sleep at night.

"I knew he used to go to a liquor shop in Rabat every day. At around 1.15 p.m., I saw his pick-up parked in front of the shop, with the windows open and the key in the ignition," he said. He started the engine and drove to his house, which is situated in front of a primary school.

"I revved the engine and when I saw no one was passing by, I drove it into the wall of the school," he said, admitting an act of revenge.

Magistrate Joseph Apap Bologna granted him bail against a personal guarantee of €1,000.

Police Inspector Joseph Agius prosecuted. Lawyer Roberto Montalto appeared for Mr Borg.