Illegal immigrant jailed in false papers case
An illegal immigrant who used a false identity to get a job in Shropshire has been jailed for four months and faces deportation on his release.
Iraqi national, Farman Mohamed, 28, used an immigration document belonging to someone else to get a job on a poultry farm on the outskirts of Whitchurch, Shrewsbury Crown Court heard.
But an anonymous tip-off to the authorities saw the UK Border Agency swoop on him at work where he was caught pretending to be the man named on the papers – but to whom he bore no resemblance.
Mohamed, of Bradley Road, Wrexham, pleaded guilty to possessing a home office certificate, namely an immigration document, that related to someone else, with improper intention.
After he was charged, Mohamed was served with deportation papers and his fate after prison now lies in the hands of the Home Office.
Mr Kevin Jones prosecuting said: "Mr Mohamed first came into the country illegally in 2009 when he encountered the immigration services and claimed asylum. This was refused but he was allowed to stay in the country with reporting to Wrexham Police Station."
While living in the UK, Mohamed had no right to work and received grants of £35 a week. But when the money stopped he decided to get a job and paid £300 to use another person's documents, Mr Jones explained.
At work he answered to the name of the man whose document he had used but admitted his true identity to officers on his arrest.
Mr Jones added: "In May 2012, this defendant had a national insurance card and document of someone who had the right to stay and work in this country."
Mr Andrew Holland, defending, said when the UK Border Agency officers examined the document they found "the photo is clearly not Mr Mohamed".
He added: "He earned £250 a week and sent £300 a month back to his parents in Iraq. His employers are sad to lose him as a worker and had no issues with him. He himself thought he was doing the right thing by not being a drain in any way, shape or form on the UK and he did not want to seek money from illegal sources."
He said Mohamed was "intensely fearful" of being sent back to Iraq, especially if it was known he had spent time in a western country.
Sentencing, Judge Peter Barrie said: "This is offending that strikes at the heart of the basis by which you were permitted to remain in this country."
He sentenced Mohamed to four months in jail of which he will serve half in custody.
Judge Barrie said he will also make a recommendation to the Home Office that Mohamed should be deported.
