Illegal worker used fake passport identity to get a job in Devon, court told

By HEPaulGreaves | Posted: July 17, 2016



AN Algerian man overstayed his student visa and then gave employers a false name so he could live and work in Devon, a court has been told.

Illegal immigrant Lyes Haouchine, 30, told the 99p Store he was a Frenchman called Nabil Adjilli and he was entitled to work in the UK.

But a Home Office investigation discovered he was really an ex-student and asylum-seeker who had disappeared from the authorities radar in 2009.

Haouchine, who now works as a cleaner, was convicted of fraud at Exeter Crown Court.

The court was told he was a taxpayer and there was no suggestion of him wanting to do anything else in the UK than work hard and earn money.

He has since married a French national and is allowed to stay in the UK as an EU citizen, the court was told.

He pleaded guilty to fraud relating to a period between August 2014 and September 2015 when he worked at the 99p Store at Exe Bridges in Exeter.

Prosecutor Janice Eagles said Haouchine came to the UK in 2007 as a student. In 2009 his application to extend his student visa was denied and he was classified as an 'overstayer'.

He made an application for asylum then 'disappeared from records', said the prosecutor.

In the summer of 2014 he presented a photocopy of a false passport in the name of Nabil Adjilli to his prospective employers at the 99p Store.

He also presented false National Insurance card details and false bank details.

The Home Office conducted a routine check on the store and connected Haouchine to Adjilli because he had recently married an EU citizen.

When questioned Haouchine said he had come to Devon because he thought he was 'less likely to be arrested than in London', said Ms Eagles.

"He wanted to work and support himself and thought the alternative would be to turn to crime and he didn't want to do that," she added.

He said the false ID had cost him £250 and he had to make a further payment.

"He always intended doing what he did for financial gain" said Ms Eagles.

"There was nothing to suggest more sinister reasons other than live here and earn money.

"The Home Office says by taking a job from somebody legitimately entitled to work in this country he's deprived them of an income."

She said he had earned £11,500. Haouchine has no previous convictions.

Rupert Taylor, in mitigation, said the defendant came from Jewish heritage but had converted to Islam because it was 'very difficult to live in North Africa' with that background.

He said Haouchine had worked hard and paid taxes although it was true he 'had lied to get a job'.

Judge Geoffrey Mercer QC said the offence was more serious than that.

He said: "He didn't just tell a lie he produced a false passport."

He added: "This fraud was committed by you at a time when you were unlawfully in this country and had been for five years. You had in your possession what may have been a copy of a false passport but there must have been an original false passport in a false name but with your features on it.

"You used it to get a job which otherwise you would not have obtained and it is a serious matter. Use of a false passport and false documents and identification is a criminal offence which must receive a prison sentence and the reasons for that are obvious.

"But the position today is following your marriage lawfully in this country you are living with your wife in this community. You are both working and paying taxes, indeed you paid your taxes throughout. In the circumstances I'm prepared in somewhat exceptional circumstances to suspend that sentence."

Haouchine was jailed for eight months but suspended for 18 months; told to do 120 hours unpaid work and pay costs of £350.

Illegal worker has used fake identity to get a job in Devon, court told | Torquay Herald Express