Moroccan burglar's sentence cut

Ibrahimi's identity, language and nationality initially baffled police

A Moroccan man who broke into a house in search of food after being left in a west Wales village by people smugglers has had his jail term for burglary cut.

Magistrates sentenced Hassan Ibrahimi to 12 months in prison after he broke into the same house three times.

The court heard he had been desperate for food and shelter after traffickers left him in Tycroes, near Ammanford.

At Swansea Crown Court Judge Michael Burr said he had "great sympathy" for Ibrahimi and cut his sentence in half.

It is expected the 26-year-old will be released immediately into the hands of the immigration authorities.

He has claimed asylum but magistrates said he should be deported and his case will now be decided by the Home Office.

Ibrahimi's identity, language and nationality initially baffled police.

Eventually they were able to ascertain he had left his remote Moroccan village to find work after an earthquake destroyed his home and killed his parents and brother.

He paid £1,000 to a people trafficker to take him to France, but after a three-day journey by car and ferry, he was dropped off in Tycroes, near Ammanford in Carmarthenshire.

Unable to speak English and without money, Ibrahimi initially made a den in a hedge, but when he became cold and hungry he broke into a nearby house, taking groceries, clothing, a sewing kit and a toothbrush.

He was arrested and later admitted burglary.