Second migrant confesses to trailer escape attempt

An illegal immigrant was conditionally discharged after trying to leave the island hidden inside a cargo trailer truck on Monday.

Abdulgazir Taher Tamer, 27, spotted the empty container at Laboratory Wharf, in Paola and climbed inside together with Jacob Mussie Menghesa, 31. They thought it was bound for Italy because it had Italian number plates and containers were usually taken aboard from that wharf. But the two men were caught after security personnel became suspicious and decided to inspect the container.

Mr Menghesa was conditionally discharged on Tuesday after pleading guilty.

Mr Tamer too pleaded guilty to the charges and, assisted by his defence lawyer Mark Busuttil, told the court that, like his friend, he had family in Italy who were there under humanitarian status and he wanted to be reunited with them.

The two were charged with at-tempting to leave the island without being in possession of a passport.

Dr Busuttil pointed out to Magistrate Miriam Hayman that the case was a "carbon copy" of his client's friend who was conditionally discharged.