Cleaner found guilty of blackmail

Driza faces a substantial prison term, the judge said

A cleaner has been convicted of blackmailing a female judge and stealing intimate videos from her male colleague.

Brazilian Roselane Driza was cleared of a charge of blackmail relating to 60-year-old Judge Mohammed Ilyas Khan.

Driza, 37, had been employed as a cleaner by both the immigration tribunal judges who were former lovers.

The Department for Constitutional Affairs said it was now considering an investigation into the judges' conduct.

Prosecutor David Markham said Driza was of previous good character but was liable for deportation to Brazil.

'Substantial' sentence

The two judges - Mr Khan and an unnamed female referred to as Judge J during the trial - were said to be unaware she was working illegally in the UK.

Old Bailey Judge Peter Beaumont said he wanted reports before sentencing and remanded Driza into custody until 20 October.

"There is a great deal of background I do not know about her. For example, marriage and community ties," Judge Beaumont said.

"Given the nature of the sentence likely to follow, I do not want her hopes raised other than that a substantial custodial sentence will follow."

The Lord Chancellor and the Lord Chief Justice strongly believe that the public must have confidence in judges Department for Constitutional Affairs

The Lord Chancellor and the Lord Chief Justice are deciding whether to hold an inquiry into the conduct of the two judges, who were initially referred to as Judge I (male) and Judge J (female) during the trial.

A spokesman for the Department for Constitutional Affairs said: "The Lord Chancellor and the Lord Chief Justice strongly believe that the public must have confidence in judges and take any allegations against them very seriously.

"Following allegations made in the trial of Roselane Driza they are now considering whether to hold a disciplinary investigation into the conduct of the two judges involved."

Investigating officer Detective Sergeant Alan Dawson, of Haringey CID, said: "This six-day trial has involved a detailed and protracted investigation into the private lives of all the concerned parties.

"This case is particularly disturbing as the offence has been perpetrated by a defendant determined to prey upon the victim and threaten her for financial gain."