Drunk tourist breaks Westin Dragonara statue - and his own leg
22-year-old Italian climbed the statue to relieve himself while 'enjoying the view'
A 22-year-old Italian broke a 135-year-old statue at the Westin Dragonara Hotel in St Julian's when he climbed it while drunk to relieve himself from a height.
Appearing in court on Friday on crutches, Daniel Truscelli pleaded guilty to causing the damage in the early hours of Friday morning.
Truscelli was arraigned after spending the night in the hospital suffering from a broken right leg as a result of the incident.
The court heard how Truscelli drunkenly climbed the statue to "enjoy the view" while relieving himself. Yet instead of enjoying the moment, the statue snapped in half and fell on him, causing him to break his leg.
While the cultural and historic value of the statue was not explained in court, it is understood that the statue dates back to 1870, when the Dragonara Palace and its gardens were constructed. The hotel replaced the Dragonara Palace.
The broken part of the statue after the accident.Defence lawyer Jason Azzopardi said Truscelli pleaded guilty and regretted what he did. Azzopardi said his injuries could have been much worse.
Azzopardi did not contest the validity of his arrest.
The accused was handed a one-year prison term, suspended for three years. He is due to fly back home on Saturday.
Magistrate Astrid May Grima also said the youth was ordered to pay all the costs for the damages he caused within six months.
While the exact estimate of the damages was not provided, the magistrate said a preliminary estimate indicated the damages could reach up to €10,000.
The prosecution was led by inspectors Nico Zarb and Christian Xuereb, and AG lawyers Giuliana Magro Conti and Nicholas De Gaetano.
Lawyer Jason Azzopardi appeared for the accused.
Superintendent of Cultural Heritage Kurt Farrugia was also present for the court sitting.