Fifteen people yesterday pleaded guilty to benefiting from a false mariner's license issued by the Malta Maritime Authority (MMA).

During another hearing in connection with the case, another of batch of 20 people of the 430 people implicated in the case were arraigned in court.

Before magistrate Michael Mallia, fifteen people pleaded guilty to trading in influence, making false declaration 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 license for a year.

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