Six Croatians today were sentenced to two years in prison suspended for four years after they pleaded guilty to causing a disturbance in Paceville on Monday night.

The incident took place a day before the Euro 2016 tournament Group H qualifier between Malta and Croatia held at Ta’ Qali national stadium. 

The accused are Ivan Janjetic, 21, Denis Danilovic, 25, Dalen Cekada, 25, Davor Andelkovic, 32, Marijo Hodak, 38, and Igor Valec, 26. All six pleaded guilty and pledged to pay a total of €5,770 for the damage they had caused.

They were charged with causing damage to the White Palace and Plush night clubs, Chick King take away and a Peugeot car. They were also charged with inciting a group of persons to commit a crime, breaching the peace, throwing objects and assaulting Serb Aleksander Stanojcic.

The magistrate warned them that if they returned to Malta within the next four years they had better be on their best behaviour since they would end up in jail for two years if they caused trouble.

It is understood that the accused were part of a group of Croats that attacked a Serb national near Santa Rita steps. The fight spilled to the square in front of Burger King, by which time some other Serbs had joined in the commotion. Tables and chairs were thrown by the two sides, with a number of bars sustaining damage. Surprisingly, no one was hurt in the free-for-all.

During yesterday’s sitting, Police Inspector Trevor Micallef said the accused were part of a group or 20 to 30 Croats. All were identified by either security guards or bar owners and even by one of the alleged victims. In some cases the accused were also identified on CCTV.

Three of the accused first told the court they were not involved in the fight, with one insisting he was eating at a fast food restaurant. However, after discussing with defence lawyer Joe Ellis, the six pleaded guilty and pledged to pay for the damage they had caused, which amounts to €961 each.

The court, presided by Magistrate Josette Demicoli, gave the men some time to have the necessary funds transferred to their accounts.