A young man was put on probation for three years for impersonating a doctor and issuing two prescriptions.

Duncan Buttigieg, 20, of Ghaxaq, had been charged with committing several crimes in connection with the impersonation of a doctor.

The charges included fraud and forgery.

The court heard how the accused had dreams of becoming a doctor and his impersonation was just a way of making that dream become reality.

A psychological report of Buttigieg by Dr Victor Schields concluded that the man suffers from a histrionic and narcissistic personality disorder.

The court noted that the accused himself claims to be a doctor and there seemed to be some confusion among the witnesses too. The evidence showed that Buttigieg had examined two people and had issued two prescriptions signed “Dr Duncan Buttigieg”.

Presiding magistrate Lawrence Quintano ruled that the accused should be acquitted of the fraud charges since there was no evidence that he had impersonated a doctor to make money.

Magistrate Quintano weighed the significance of Dr Shields’ report and concluded it would be more suitable for the young man to be put on probation for three years.

Buttigieg was also ordered to pay Lm192 in expenses incurred by the court to appoint experts.

Inspector Josric Mifsud prosecuted while Dr Franco Debono appeared for the accused.