Two migrants who tried to slip out of Malta by hiding inside a container destined for shipment to Italy have landed behind bars instead. 

They were arrested by immigration police after being discovered hidden away inside a container, belonging to a local company, that was about to be loaded onto a Tirrenia vessel, heading to Italy. 

Following their arraignment on Sunday, each got a six-month jail term after admitting to the wrongdoing. 

Meanwhile another migrant, a Sudanese national, was separately arraigned and charged with being in possession of a false travel document when trying to make his way through passport control at Malta International Airport.

He was about to catch a flight to Turin.

Upon his admission, the court, presided over by magistrate Natasha Galea Sciberras, declared him guilty and condemned him to a six-month jail term. 

Inspector Lara Butters prosecuted.