Migrant's good deed lands him in court

A Somali migrant who lent a helping hand to a friend recovering in hospital ended up being charged with forgery and receiving a conditional discharge.

Abdallah Ali Mohammed, 24, applied for a government allowance but also signed on behalf of his friend, who was recovering in hospital, his lawyer Mark Busuttil said in court.

The authorities realised what had happened and charged him with forging a document, making a false declaration and disobeying police orders on Wednesday. Mr Mohammed yesterday pleaded guilty to the charges.

Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit took into consideration that he was a first-time offender before conditionally discharging him for a year.