Two Libyans were yesterday given a suspended jail term and narrowly escaped being sent back to their war-torn country after they admitted to damaging four cars while drunk.

Amer Khald Ghader, 25, and his friend Wesam Mohamed Giuma Naass, 23, both from Tripoli, were spotted by one of the owners of the damaged cars who reported them to the police at 1.30 a.m. on Monday.

When discussing punishment, Police Inspector Trevor Micallef told Magistrate Gabriella Vella he felt a one-year suspended jail term was ideal in the circumstances.

Defence lawyer Veronique Dalli reacted saying that if her clients were Maltese they would get away with probation, noting that a one-year jail term would mean an automatic deportation to their country where a civil war was raging.

The men admitted to causing about €600 worth of damage to the cars in Gort Road, St Julians.

The magistrate handed down an eight-month jail term suspended for two years.

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