A Malian will have to pay dearly for twice trying to flee Malta illegally to seek a better future in Italy after he was yesterday jailed for two years and seven months for using a fake passport last Wednesday.

The court heard that Yacouba Doumbia, 31, had committed precisely the same crime in November 2012.

On that occasion, he pleaded guilty and was jailed for two years suspended for four years.

Yesterday, Mr Doumbia appeared before Magistrate Audrey Demicoli, charged with using a fake Italian passport and Italian residency permit. He claimed he paid €2,000 for the documents.

The court jailed him for seven months for the latest attempt and brought into effect the suspended jail term imposed on him in 2012.

Police Inspector Victor Aquilina prosecuted while lawyer Anthony Cutajar appeared for the man.

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