Illegal worker found in local take-away is jailed

Liu Peng (30), whose address was given as of no fixed abode, was charged with illegal working and illegally entering the United Kingdom.

The court heard that during a search of the Emperor fast food outlet in Lisburn, the defendant was stopped trying to flee out the back door of the restaurant.

Prosecution said that Home Office checks revealed that he did not have permission to enter or work in the United Kingdom. During interview he admitted he was Chinese national who had no visa to enter the UK.

He travelled to Dublin in April 2016 with documents provided by a third party, which he had destroyed.

Peng claimed that he had just been helping out at the restaurant, but prosecution said that an apron was found near the defendant and that he had been wearing it.

A defending solicitor told Lisburn Magistrates Court that the defendant had came to the United Kingdom at a cost of “six or seven thousand pounds.”

Defence said that Peng no longer possessed the documents which he had been provided with by the third party.

District Judge Amanda Brady imposed a 14 day custodial sentence.