A 26-year-old Serbian man was given a suspended sentence by the Magistrate's Court today after admitting to tampering with his passport and falsely declaring to be in Malta to study English in order to obtain a residence permit.

Aleksandar Pivac was charged with forging fake stamps on his passport and knowingly making a false declaration in a document intended for a public authority.

Prosecuting officer Victor Aquilina told the court that the accused had obtained a Maltese residence permit legally on the basis of coming to the islands to study English. But it turned out that he was not attending any school.

He was arrested yesterday in Paceville.

Asked by Magistrate Gabriella Vella on how he will be pleading, Mr Pivac hung his head and said: "I am guilty. I am very sorry".

Inspector Aquilina argued for a suspended sentence so that the accused could be deported.

Defence lawyer Stefano Filletti concurred, adding that there was no reason for the government to fork out the expenses for his prison term.

The court sentenced Mr Pivac to six months imprisonment suspended to one year. He will be deported with immediate effect.

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