Stephen Vassallo, 28, and 20-year-old Mark Sciortino, both from Santa Lucija, also admitted causing more than Lm50 worth of damage to the club and possessing heroin. Vassallo admitted breaching the terms of a conditional discharge.

Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera sentenced Vassallo to two years in jail, while Sciortino’s two-year jail term was suspended for two years. The difference between the two was that while Sciortino agreed to start a drug rehabilitation programme, Vassallo refused to enrol in a programme, claiming he could kick the habit on his own.

Magistrate Scerri Herrera recommended that Vassallo be given the necessary help, should he change his mind about the drug rehabilitation programme.

Inspector Yvette Farrugia prosecuted while Dr Victor Scerri and Dr Roberto Montalto appeared for the defendants.