Man denied bail after allegedly presenting false residence documents

Stephen Osei Boateng, a 43-year-old Ghanaian man living in Mosta, was denied bail after pleading not guilty to charges relating to the alleged use of false documents.

The court heard that at around 11am yesterday, police received information about a person who was allegedly presenting false documents relating to his residence status in Malta.

The documents were subsequently examined and were allegedly found to be false.

The prosecution told the court that Boateng had been in Malta since 2006, but that his only valid residence permit covered the period between 2013 and 2014.

Boateng, who works as a handyman, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The validity of his arrest was not contested by the defence.

The defence requested bail, arguing that despite issues concerning the accused’s immigration status, he had established ties to Malta over the years. The court heard that he had been contributing to the country for several years and that his wife is due to give birth in the coming days.

The defence also pointed out that the accused had only previously appeared in court over minor contraventions, including one around five years ago, and argued that the fact that he was not a Maltese national did not mean that he lacked ties to the country.

The prosecution objected to bail, arguing that the accused had not been regularised in Malta despite having been in the country since 2006, apart from the period between 2013 and 2014.

It also questioned the accused claimed ties to Malta, arguing that his marriage was not recognised by the Maltese State and pointing to the alleged use of false documents.

The prosecution argued that there was a risk that the accused could flee.

The court rejected the request for bail and ordered that the accused remain under arrest.

The prosecution was led by Inspector Colin Sheldon, while lawyers Anna Thomas, Albert Zerafa and Valentina Lattughi represented the accused.

Magistrate Ingrid Bianco presided over the case