Guinean 'holidaymaker' jailed for using fake passport

A man from Guinea, who lives in an open centre in Trapani, Sicily, was sent to prison this morning after he pleaded guilty to having used a false passport when he travelled to Malta on holiday.

Magistrate Doreen Clarke heard how 21-year-old student Zaac Bensoli, had told police that he did not come to Malta to for jobseeking purposes, but had simply come here for a holiday.

The court heard police inspector Darren Buhagiar explain how Bensoli had landed in Malta a month ago successfully made his way into the country by using the fake documents. Officials only realised that his passport was fake when he was checking in for his return flight to Trapani. Bensoli was arrested.

The court handed the Guinean a seven month custodial sentence. Legal aid lawyer Joe Ellis has said that he intends to appeal the sentence.