Ivorian man admits trying to use fake Italian travel documents

An Ivorian man caught trying to use a falsified Italian ID card, travel permit and other documents admitted guilt when he was charged in court by the immigration police.

Lawyer Fransina Abela, who appeared as legal aid for Patrick Ankomah, 34, entered a guilty plea to charges of possessing and knowingly making use of a falsified document, falsifying an immigration document and making a false declaration to the Principal Immigration Officer.

Principal Immigration Official, police inspector Victor Aquilina, arraigned Ankomah before magistrate Caroline Farrugia Frendo earlier today. The inspector gave the court a copy of the man’s last removal order and the accused’s application for a residence permit.

Asked what he replied to the charges, Ankomah pleaded guilty, repeating his admission despite the court making it clear that he could potentially face imprisonment.

In brief submissions of punishment, Inspector Aquilina did not insist on a custodial sentence.

The court, in view of the early guilty plea and the parties’ submissions handed Ankomah a six month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.