| Criminal and business defence specialists Cartwright King have recently taken a case to the Court of Appeal and have been successful in getting their client’s sentence significantly reduced, claiming it was too severe given the nature of the case.
Their client, Irshad Ali, who has been a UK resident since 1983, was found to be in possession of a false UK passport and used this to acquire a National Insurance number to gain employment. Since arriving in the UK Mr Ali has had numerous jobs including working in kitchens, hotels and take aways and has always supported himself and his family. He currently part owns an Indian restaurant in Nottingham and employs several workers.
Earlier this year Judge Bennett sentenced Irshad Ali to twelve months imprisonment and recommended deportation . Graham Heathcote of Cartwright King decided to take the case to the Court of Appeal on behalf of his client. The appeal was based on the fact Mr Ali obtained the passport to obtain work, not to enter the country illegally, and has never been a strain on the welfare system at any point.
The sentence has now been reduced to six months imprisonment and the request for deportation has been quashed, as he is a law abiding man and works hard to keep his business going.
“I am delighted that we have succeeded in getting Mr Ali’s sentence reduced,” said Graham. “We felt that it was much too serious given the nature of the case. Mr Ali is a good citizen, working hard to support his family and also providing employment to several local people at his restaurant. We believed that his proposed deportation and sentence was much too severe and would have served no purpose. It would also have been devastating to Mr Ali, his family and the people that work for him.”
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