A 32-year-old Briton arrested last month for being in Malaysia's Defence Ministry compound after hours was fined £850 for overstaying his visa.

Greame Robert Parker, from East Sussex, pleaded guilty to a charge of failing to extend his visa, which expired on March 31, the national news agency, Bernama, reported.

Parker was arrested on April 6 as he wandered through the compound.

Officials said he was carrying a camera and was uncooperative at the time of his arrest. The compound also houses Malaysia's Armed Forces Museum.

Initial reports in a Malay-language newspaper said Parker was suspected of spying, but Defence Minister Najib Tun Razak rejected this.

Bernama cited Parker's lawyer as saying his client was a tourist who had not meant to disrespect Malaysian law.

The report said the fine was imposed instead of an eight month jail term.

There were no details of when Parker planned return to Britain.