A French student who damaged a vending machine because it did not return change of €1 was today handed a suspended two-year jail sentence, fined €116 and ordered to pay €290 for repairs.

The student Joey Gossain, 18, admitted to having damaged the machine and threatened two police officers when then checked what was happening.

The incident happened on Sunday evening at Villa Rosa, St George's Bay.

Police Inspector Nicolai Sant complained that this was the type of tourist which the police force had to deal with every day. He said that when the officers called at the hotel and questioned the student, he went up to his room, returned with the knife and threatened the officers with it.

Defence lawyer described the incident as a youth's bravado, but the inspector insisted that threatening police officers was a serious matter.

The court warned the young man of the possible consequences of his action, including a possible two-year prison sentence, before imposing the suspended jail term and the fine.