A 25-year-old man “in search of a better life” was brought forward to the court after he was found travelling with fake documents.

The Albanian national, Ardit Vladi, pleaded guilty to buying an Italian passport, licence and health card for €1,200. Stopped at the airport before a flight to Manchester, Mr Vladi said he was travelling away from Albania in search of better prospects.

He said he had to buy the documents because he could not obtain a visa to go to England.

“I have done the mistake, I do not need additional time to think about it,” Mr Vladi replied when asked by magistrate Neville Camilleri if he wanted to reconsider his plea.

Mr Vladi was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment suspended for three years. He will be deported back to Albania.

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