Woman admits visiting Malta to work illegally

A woman is being detained pending her compulsory return to Italy after she admitted to using a false Italian residence permit to work illegally in Malta.

41-year-old Peace Edet from Nigeria was arraigned before magistrate Josette Demicoli this morning, accused of falsifying or changing an Italian residence permit, making use of a falsified official document and making a false declaration to the immigration authorities.

Police Inspector Victor Aquilina pointed out to the court that such cases were cropping up on a daily basis because the EU's internal borders have been closed as a result of the suspension of the Schengen agreement.

Through her lawyer Patrick Valentino, Edet pleaded guilty to the charges.

The inspector asked the court to impose the minimum punishment, which stands at six months imprisonment, but Valentino argued that identical cases have received suspended sentences in the past.

It was not the first time Edet had come to Malta, Inspector Aquilina said. She had claimed to have been visiting for a short period “to work illegally before returning to Italy.”

The accused asked to address the court. “Everything I did was for my children. I am a single mother,” she said before breaking down in tears. 

Valentino highlighted the attenuating factors in his submissions on punishment. “We have a person who has cooperated with the police and who has young children. We should differentiate between a person who cooperates and one who doesn't.”

The court handed the woman a sentence of 18 months imprisonment, suspended for three years. Edet is to be kept in detention until her return to Italy is organised.