Outraged internet users have unleashed their wrath on the five men who were fined €60 each in connection with the Marsaxlokk campsite incident when a resident was injured.

Photos documenting the incident on Sunday have not only made their way to international news sites, such as the Chicago Tribune and Yahoo News, they have also been mockingly turned into violent scenes from Pearl Harbour, Star Wars, 300 and The Avengers.

One even features Italian footballer Mario Balotelli, who has become a fixture in memes, as these viral internet phenomena are called. 

Some people were particularly infuriated by a photograph published on The Times’ front page yesterday showing the men sitting outside the courts in shorts, looking rather pleased with themselves.

One of them even flashed his tongue, demonstrating a sense of bravado that provoked disgust rather than admiration. He was later likened to The Hulk.