Man sues over jail 'error' claim

Mr Beniaiche was jailed for two months for forgery

An immigrant who was sent to an adult prison because he lied about his age on a fake passport is suing the Home Office for "unlawful detainment".

Cherif Beniaiche claimed he was 22 and so was treated as an adult when he was jailed for forging his documents.

But Mr Beniaiche, from Hayes, west London, was only 16 and was freed when authorities learned his real age.

A UK Border Agency spokesman said: "It would be inappropriate to comment during ongoing legal proceedings."

The Sun said Mr Beniaiche, now 19, is suing for £50,000.

He reportedly told the newspaper: "They got my age wrong. No-one helped me."

Mr Beniaiche, who is Algerian, arrived in the UK in 2005 with a forged Italian passport which was discovered when he tried to leave the country.

He spent two months in jail before being released.