A man’s birthday celebrations ended on a flat note when his drunken behaviour landed him in trouble with police on the streets of Paceville.

The man, currently residing at a St Julian’s hotel, had just arrived in Malta on Tuesday to celebrate his 27th birthday and after a drink too many ended up kicking up some commotion on St Rita Steps at around 4.15am on Wednesday morning.

Bystanders called in the police, noticing the man needed some help and that he had been knocked about earlier on by unidentified third parties.

When police approached the half-conscious man lying on the ground, they were met with a rather violent reaction.

Refusing to supply his personal details and hitting out at officers who were trying to help him, the man had to be restrained before being taken to the police station under arrest.

Barely eight hours later, a sober though sleepy man appeared in court to face charges of having threatened and violently resisted the police officers, slightly injuring a constable, refusing to obey lawful orders, being found drunk in a public place and breaching public order and peace.

Just as the clock at St John’s Co-Cathedral struck midday, duty magistrate Anthony Vella declared the man guilty upon his own admission, conditionally discharging him for 2 years and condemning him to a €4,000 fine payable within 3 years.

Inspector Nikolai Sant prosecuted. Lawyer Noel Bartolo was legal aid counsel.