An Eritrean who was unhappy with the service provided at a government department and vented his anger on a parked car was jailed for five months today.
Beyene Fessahatsion Weldeabzghi, 26, pleaded guilty to having caused voluntary damage to third party property while on probation.
The court, presided over by magistrate Ian Farrugia, heard how the man, after leaving a government office, vented his frustration on the side-mirror of a VW Golf which happened to be parked in Francesco Buonamici Street in Floriana.
A passer-by who witnessed the incident, which took place at around 2.30pm yesterday, stopped the culprit in his tracks. The man was arrested shortly afterwards by the police.
"I am seeing your conviction sheet. You are repeating the same offences," the magistrate told the accused.
The court noted that the man had committed a similar offence almost a year ago.
The court declared the man guilty upon his own admission and sentenced him to a jail term of five months and ordered that a copy of the judgment be served to the director of probation and parole.
Inspector Priscilla Caruana Lee prosecuted.
Lawyer Christopher Chircop was legal aid.
Lawyer Maroushka Debono appeared parte civile for the owner of the vandalised car.