Restaurant owner jailed for immigration offences

The owner of a string of Indian restaurants has been jailed for 6 months after admitting trying to cheat UK immigration rules.

Shafiqul Haque, 61, of Waterside Lane, Rochdale, was today (30 September) sentenced at Carlisle Crown Court after he previously pleaded guilty to 6 offences of facilitating illegal working in the UK.

Today's sentence is the result of an investigation by the UK Border Agency immigration crime team that started back in July 2009. Illegal immigrants were found to be working and living on site at Tagore Restaurant in Ambleside and The Emperor of India in Windermere leased by Haque,

The team raided both restaurants and the investigation revealed foreign nationals illegally working for Haque.

Haque was arrested for offences of facilitation relating to employing and harbouring individuals not entitled to be in the UK.

DS Dave Stalker, North West immigration crime team, UK Border Agency said: “This is an example of a man who disregarded the law in order to profit from employing illegal immigrants who were brought into our communities to work for little or no pay and receive a poor standard of accommodation.

“These issues are taken very seriously and police officers work in partnership with other immigration officers across the North West to ensure we have an effective, joined-up approach to tackling the problem.”

As part of the investigation, an application was made under the Proceeds of Crime Act. This has been adjourned for the benefit figure to be set.