A 30-year-old Somali man this morning was charged with offending public morals and exposing himself after he rushed off a bus and urinated in full view of the passengers.

The court heard how Jibril Ismail Jibril was travelling from Cirkewwa to Valletta when nature called. Deciding that he could not wait until reaching Valletta, the man rang the bell and disembarked the vehicle in St Andrews. He then proceeded to urinate in front of the bus passengers and others waiting to board, some of whom are understood to have screamed in shock. Finished with his business, Mr Jibril tried to board the bus again but was refused by the driver, who called the police.

The accused pleaded guilty before Magistrate Audrey Demicoli, who handed down a €100 fine and conditionally discharged him for 12 months. Legal aid lawyer Noel Bartolo said Mr Jibril was remorseful and promised that next time he needed a bathroom he would find one.

Inspector Trevor Micallef prosecuted.