A heavily pregnant illegal immigrant was yesterday given a suspended jail term for trying to leave the island on Wednesday using false travel documents.

Somali Habiba Hussein Omar, 25, pleaded guilty to using a forged Italian travel document, an Italian identity card and an Italian residence permit in trying to leave Malta.

She also admitted to forging the documents and making a false declaration.

In submissions on punishment, legal aid lawyer Anthony Cutajar said his client had been seeking a better life in another country, adding that she had cooperated with the police.

Police Inspector Nezren Grixti noted that the woman was nine months pregnant and said he agreed with the defence counsel. He had tried to be practical but the charges were what they were and he had to arraign her.

Magistrate Joseph Apap Bologna took her pregnancy into consideration when he handed down a one-year jail term suspended for two.

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