Posted on 09/28/2009 2:33:45 PM PDT by knighthawk
Nearly 50 potential terrorists or criminals were let into the UK after a Mitcham immigration officer doctored asylum applications and falsified computer records, a court heard.
Aliya Ali, 39, of Windemere Road, was sentenced to five years imprisonment today at Croydon Crown Court after pleading guilty to 12 counts of misconduct in a public office.
A total of 44 asylum seekers who should have been deported are thought to be unaccounted for in the UK as a result of the mum-of-two’s deception.
The court heard how Ali claimed she only broke the law to help Asian families settle in the country and earn a living.
But while handing down the sentence, Judge Ruth Downing said: “You say you only did it to assist because they wanted an honest life in this country.
“But you had no idea whether they fitted into that category or whether, hidden among them, were criminals, terrorists or the like.”
She added: “I am genuinely shocked. This is a most serious offence. You single-handedly decided on a course of action that enabled people to break the rules.
“Many speak of your high standing in the community and you should reflect on the disservice you have done to your community. It was a breach of trust in a senior position and you were promoted in the course of criminal activity.”
Ali was employed as a senior Home Office case worker in the immigration department at Lunar House, Croydon.
Miss Joan Mitchell, defending, said: “She is utterly ashamed. Her family has been torn apart and her husband may have to give up his job because of the children.”
The court heard how investigators had spent two months searching for information about the asylum seekers, mostly from Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, that were helped by Ali.
Only five of the 49 have been traced.
Sounds like Britain has the same problem the U.S. has. We both have the Foxes guarding the gates to the henhouse.
According to hubby, the term ‘Asian’ is codeword for Muslim.
And the other 44 are in somebody’s garage making bombs. I wonder if they can deport her at the end of her sentence.
Ping
Indeed, mostly it means people from Pakistani origin, but she also let people from Afghanistan in, also an Asian country.
No - just anybody from the countries of the Indian sub-continent. Thus it also includes the non-Muslim Sri Lankans, also mentioned here.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.