A drug addict who had been given a suspended jail term on condition he completed a rehabilitation programme was jailed for two years after it resulted he consumed a bottle of wine during his treatment.

In 2004, Tristan Falzon, 27, was jailed for two years but, on appeal, he was given a two-year jail term suspended for four and ordered to complete a drug rehabilitation programme "without interruptions". The judgment came into effect in November last year.

However, during his stay at the Santa Marija rehabilitation centre on March 12 this year, while buying vegetables, a weekly chore at the centre, he also purchased a bottle of wine and drank it, which is against regulations. Miriam Sevasta, a senior probation officer, said in court that, because of this incident, Mr Falzon was suspended from the programme last March 12.

Ray Grech, who heads the rehabilitation programme at the centre, said the accused had been doing well and had registered progress, so much so that he was even put in charge of the store. He was suspended when Mr Falzon purchased the wine. Taking this into consideration, Mr Justice David Scicluna, sitting in the Criminal Court of Appeal, said the accused had been given a very clear warning that if he violated any one of the conditions imposed he would face the consequences.

The court revoked the suspended jail term and recommended to the prisons director to allow Mr Falzon to start a drug rehabilitation programme if he wanted to.