Immigration fraudster jailed

9:36am Thursday 23rd November 2006

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A Home Office worker who charged asylum seekers money in return for granting their applications has been jailed.

Collins Okello from Mitcham pleaded guilty to four counts of misconduct in a public office and one count of facilitating the commission of a breach of immigration at Southwark Crown Court.

In 2000 Okello was employed by the Home Office in Croydon and was responsible for interviewing and making decisions about whether people should remain or be removed from the UK.

The court heard Okello abused his position and a number of people were asked to pay money to have their applications granted.

In return for cash Okello, 44, used his access rights to confidential material held at the Home Office to assist his actions, which included giving immigration advice based on insider knowledge.

He was arrested at his home and searches were carried out there and at a private business he was operating. Passports, Home Office computer print outs and Home Offices file documents were found.