A Syrian man pleaded guilty to charges that he helped a co-national enter Malta illegally by hiding him in the luggage boot of his car on a trip from Catania.

Ahmad Farhoud, 34, admitted to hiding Mohammed Ahmed in the booth of his Renault Megane. The man was found hidden among rolls of toilet paper by a policeman in Malta soon after arrival. 

The prosecution and defence agreed that a six-month suspended jail term and a €5,000 fine along with the confiscation of the vehicle would be enough.

Magistrate Aaron Bugeja ordered a pre-sentencing report to be compiled before the court rules on punishment.

The man was granted bail against a deposit of €2,000 and a personal guarantee of €4,000.

In a separate sitting, Mr Ahmed pleaded guilty to entering Malta illegally. He was jailed for one year suspended for three years.