Singer Tristan B - real name Emanuel Balzan - has been jailed for nine months after being convicted of fraud.

A court was told that Mr Balzan, 32 of Rabat, was admitted to Mater Dei Hospital last January. At the Emergency Department, he came across Patrick Mallia, a friend of his family.

Mr Mallia continued to visit Mr Balzan in hospital and Mr Balzan told him that his family had abandoned him and he was in urgent need of money for a surgical intervention in a private hospital.

Mr Mallia later took in Mr Balzan, lent him his car and clothes. He also lent him €2,175.

After he moved out, Mr Balzan returned the car in a damaged state. The clothes were also returned but the money was not.

Mr Balzan did not deny moving in with Mr Mallia, having used his car and asking for money. He said the money was not needed for an operation but  for personal check-ups at St James Hospital. He also said the amount he borrowed was €2,050.

A representative of St James said Mr Balzan went to the private hospital in 2006 but had no other contact with the hospital since then.

The court said the evidence showed that Mr Balzan  was inventing stories to gain sympathy in order to borrow money which he was not in a position to return.

In handing down judgement, the court noted that the accused had been convicted of similar crimes in the past.