Immigrant who worked as carer is jailed

AN illegal immigrant who used forged documents so she could work as a Felixstowe carer has been jailed.

Juliet Onokipite used a fake home office letter which stated that the Nigerian citizen could remain in the UK indefinitely so she could work at the Tomlin Road care home.

The 35-year-old pleaded guilty to obtaining a pecuniary advantage by deception when she was given the opportunity to work.

Ian Pells prosecuting at Ipswich Crown Court said Onokipite of Crossleigh Court, London, came to England illegally 12 years ago.

He said she worked as a toilet attendant to pay for the fake passport that got her into the country.

Mr Pells said Onokipite lived off the tips she made and then found better employment as a carer but needed proof of her entitlement to work in the UK.

Samantha Leigh mitigating said her client was fully co-operative with the police.

Ms Leigh said: “She told officers 'I wanted to work, I did not want no giro'.”

Onokipite was of previous good character and had paid tax and national insurance while working as a carer for over a year.

A number of character references were also handed to the court from former patients she had cared for and their families.

Ms Leigh said: “There was nothing but grace for her.”

The court heard that Onokipite who had a partner in the UK and was due to have a baby in March had been in custody since her arrest in July.

Judge Neil McKittrick sentenced Onokipite to 12 months in prison. He also recommended that she be deported on her release.

He said: “I consider someone who has been in this country for 12 years fraudulently and who produced false documents, to be a clear detriment to the UK.”

n. Was Juliet Onokipite your carer? What do you think? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or email eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk