23-year-old handed suspended sentence after driving without licence, insurance

Court has handed a two-year prison sentence suspended for four years to a 23-year-old Syrian man living in Marsa after admitting to driving without a licence and insurance, as well as making false declarations and using falsified documents.

Auad Obayd Ali was arraigned under arrest before the court today, where he pleaded guilty to the charges brought against him.

The charges relate to an incident on 4 October at around 11:30pm in Triq ix-Xatt ta’ Xbiex, Msida.

The court heard that Ali was stopped by police during a road check while driving a Ford.

He admitted to driving the vehicle without a driving licence and without an insurance policy covering third-party risks.

Ali also admitted to knowingly making a false declaration and providing false information in a document intended for a public authority, with the aim of obtaining a benefit for himself.

He further admitted to falsifying and knowingly making use of a falsified document.

Ali was also charged with refusing to provide his personal details to a public officer and with providing false information concerning his identity, address and other particulars.

Following his guilty plea, Ali was sentenced to two years in prison suspended for four years.The court also recommended that the Police Commissioner exercise his powers under the Immigration Act.

Inspector Joseph Buhagiar prosecuted.

Legal aid lawyer Martin Farrugia appeared for Ali.

Magistrate Donatella Frendo Dimech presided over the case.