Care worker was illegal immigrant

Mold Crown Court was told Busari had run a successful business

A Nigerian national was highly regarded as a model citizen and care worker before it was discovered he was an illegal immigrant, a court was told.

Olabode Busari, 38, from Wrexham, was jailed for five months after he admitted using his passport as a false instrument.

A false visa stamp on his passport said he could stay in the UK without a time limit, Mold Crown Court heard.

Based on that, he had been employed by a care home for young disabled people.

Myles Wilson, prosecuting, said it was not known whether his passport had been genuine, as all the prosecution had was a photocopy of the stamped passport page from Busari's employer.

Mr Wilson said in February 2006, the defendant had been interviewed for a job at Pendine Park Care Home, in Wrexham, and when the visa stamp from June 2004 was seen, he was offered employment.

He has been a hard and reliable worker and references from his employers show that he provided work to a high standard Paul Smith, defending

Police searched Busari's home as part of an unrelated operation and papers linking him to the care home were found.

The photocopy of the passport stamp was obtained from the employer and Home Office checks revealed it was false.

Paul Smith, defending, said Busari had run his own successful business in Nigeria, but things started to go wrong and he came to look for work in the UK to repay his debts and support his family.

He provided care work and was highly regarded, he worked hard and paid his taxes throughout, and he was regarded by everyone as a model citizen.

'Prison inevitable'

"He has been a hard and reliable worker and references from his employers show that he provided work to a high standard," said Mr Smith.

Judge John Rogers QC said he would not make an order for deportation, although that did not mean he could not be deported.

He told Busari it was "quite clear" he had overstayed his entitlement to stay in the UK.

"However, I have taken into account that for 20 months you were a valuable member of the Pendine Park Care Home, assisting in looking after those who were resident there."

The defendant was told the 65 days he had already served in custody would be taken into account.