THE family of a Gwent man fined £2,000 for dropping his trousers in a Faliraki street say he is being made a scapegoat for the bad behaviour of other tourists.

Today, Matthew Maloney's mother, Julie May, of Maindee, Newport, was flying out to the resort on the Greek island of Rhodes to ensure that the 3,000 euros she has wired to pay the fine has arrived - and to see her son.

Maloney, 20, who lives some of the time in Trevethin, Pontypool, and some of the time in Newport, had just gone on a week's Club 18-30 holiday at the resort of Faliraki last Thursday when he "mooned" - bared his bottom - on a busy street.

On Monday, Maloney was sentenced to a year in jail or pay a 3,000 euro (£2,103) fine.

He was on a break in the sun with 23-year-old friend David Jenkins, a roofer, from Pontypool.

Speaking from his hotel in Faliraki, Mr Jenkins said: "We had been drinking all day. We'd downed about £300 between us in beer and shorts. "Matthew was just drunk and thought it would be a laugh. He didn't do it at anybody in particular.

"I think their (the authorities) reaction is way over the top."

Before leaving for Faliraki, Ms May said: "I was told he would go to jail for 12 months if I didn't pay.

"I think the sentence they have given him is a little excessive." Maloney's 44-year-old father, Shaun Maloney, of Pontypool, told the Argus his son was being made a "scapegoat" for other tourists misbehaving at Greek resorts.

He said: "The fine is totally excessive. All he did was a 'moonie', he just had a mad moment.

"He didn't hurt anyone and he didn't damage any property. He has been made a scapegoat ."

Mr Maloney senior's sister, Bernadette Maloney, of St Cadoc's Road, Trevethin, said: "They get up to a lot, as they are young, but how can the Greek authorities make him pay that much?"

The tourist's uncle, Steve Tomlanson, added: "The whole thing is ridiculous. A fine of that level is out of proportion with the offence."

As Greek police crack down after a number of incidents in Faliraki, Jemma Anne Gunning, from Somerset, was locked up after stripping off in a Faliraki bar during a 'bikini contest'.