Another group of 20 people out of around 430 suspected of benefiting from false mariner’s licences issued by the Malta Maritime Authority (MMA) was yesterday charged in court.

Before Magistrate Michael Mallia, 18 out of the 20 pleaded guilty to trading in influence, making false declarations and making use of forged documents.

They were each sentenced to a one-year jail term suspended for two years, fined Lm500 and banned from obtaining a nautical licence for a year.

Police Inspector Ian Abdilla prosecuted with the assistance of Franco Vassallo and Joseph Camilleri from MMA.