A Libyan man who admitted falsifying company information to obtain a residency permit was given a suspended sentence and will be deported.

Arab Ali Khalefa, 44, admitted in front of Magistrate Francesco Depasquale that he gave accountant Joe Sammut false details to help him set up a company in Malta.

However, when the documents reached the immigration authorities so that Mr Khalefa could obtain a residency permit, various inconsistencies were noted.

Police investigations later revealed that Mr Khalefa did not know how to speak English, despite his claims, and was not aware how many shares he possessed in the company.

In court, immigration officials said investigations into any wrongdoing by Mr Sammut drew a blank as it resulted that Mr Khalefa had provided false information.

Mr Khalefa’s lawyer Leon Bencini asked the court for clemency and to understand the “desperate” situation in Libya that forces people there to do certain things to leave.

Mr Khalefa pleaded guilty and Magistrate Depasquale sentenced him to 18 months in prison suspended for four years. He warned him not to repeat the crime.

Immigration inspectors Frankie Sammut and Lara Butters prosecuted.

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