A Syrian asylum seeker who sought to leave Malta together with his family using forged French passports received a suspended jail term after he admitted to the charge.

43-year-old Nouri Mahmoud Said and his family had bought tickets for the Malta-Sicily catamaran, and they sought to board the ship on the morning of 24 September.

But during check-in, staff highlighted that the passports were suspect, prompting the family of five to run away.

However, the family was eventually found at the Ħal Far tent village they presently call home.

Mr Said admitted to being in possession of five forged passports, and given a one-year jail term suspended for two years.

Prosecuting inspector Darren Buhagiar told the court that such incidents were becoming common, especially among Syrian nationals.

Lawyer Renzo Porsella Flores appeared for the accused.