French University student given a six month jail sentence suspended for two years after admitting to filing a false police report to justify why he exceeded his weekly allowance to his family in France.

Theophile L Charles Duchange, 22, had initially claimed that he was robbed of €400 after being beaten up by four men at an ATM in Paceville, however CCTV footage shows that there was no such incident; in fact he was seen accompanied by a number of women. 

Suspicion was raised after Mr Duchange claimed to have been mugged on 8 January, but only filed the report a few days ago.

It turns out that the story was made up when his family was alerted by the bank that the student had exceeded his weekly allowance and, during interrogation, he admitted that the whole incident was a lie. Mr Duchange then apologised for his actions in court admitting that his behaviour was stupid.

Magistrate Anthony Vella presided over the case; Lawyer Yana Micallef Stafrace was legal aid while police inspectors Carlos Cordina and Trevor Micallef prosecuted.