A group of Romanians who found their watering hole in Paceville closed on Sunday afternoon , broke down the door and went in for a drink anyway, a court was told this morning.

The court was hearing the case instituted by the police against Vasile Danciu, 31, who lives in Wilga Street, Paceville.

Mr Danciu admitted to theft and causing some €500 in damages to the door of the bar. He also admitted threatening two police officers, disobeyed orders, breached public peace, and being drunk to the point of being unable to take care of himself.

Police inspector Nikolai Sant said that the accused had been drinking with some friends and family at home, when they decided, at 6 p.m. to go to nearby Clique Bar in Paceville.

When they found the bar closed, they forced their way in and began drinking alcohol inside. A police patrol found the group inside the bar.

Mr Danciu’s bother-in-law, who was meant to be arraigned today, was instead taken to Mount Carmel Hospital after he damaged a police cell last night.

Mr Danciu was condemned to a two-year jail term suspended for four years after the court heard that he had cooperated with the police in their investigations. The prosecution said a suspended jail term would be appropriate. The accused was ordered by the court to pay for the damages within six months.