An irregular immigrant from Chad would rather go back to his country than continue living in the detention centre where he claims to be picked on by other immigrants there, a court heard yesterday.
Ahmed Salem, 23, expressed his feelings through his lawyer when he was arraigned yesterday and admitted to trying to escape from the Ta' Kandja detention centre and relapsing on Monday at about 8.30 p.m.
Magistrate Edwina Grima gave Mr Salem time to reconsider his plea. When he insisted on a guilty plea she jailed him for six months.
Mr Salem also expressed his wish to be given his passport back, after serving time, so he could leave the island and head back to Chad.
Police Inspector Sandro Zarb prosecuted.
Lawyer Beppe Fenech Adami was defence counsel.