Man jailed over Holyhead illegal entry ‘two day’ claim

A man who tried to enter the UK illegally at Holyhead has been jailed for eight months after telling officials he only planned to stay “two days” 📅

Gica Matei, 33, of no fixed address, admitted knowingly entering the UK in breach of a deportation order at Caernarfon Crown Court today. The defendant had been living in Ireland but was stopped at Holyhead on 23rd April this year.

Prosecutor Molly Broster told the court that Matei told officials he didn’t know how long the deportation order had been for and “couldn’t afford an immigration advisor”. When challenged about why he didn’t have a return ticket, Matei replied that he had intended to buy one when he got into the UK.

The court heard that Matei had previously breached the same deportation order at the Port of Holyhead on 19th July 2020 when he was refused entry. In fact, the order was indefinite, not the two years Matei believed it to be.

Defence barrister Richard Edwards said: “He mistakenly thought that the order lasted for two years. He said he has been trying to contact the Home Office to confirm that but accepts that he made the mistake by entering in breach of the order.”

However, Mr Edwards added: “It was not a sophisticated case involving fake documents or any attempt to deceive.”

The court heard that Matei’s family live in Nottingham – his brother and sister have been there for 20 years, and his wife and four-year-old daughter have been there for four years. Mr Edwards said: “So this defendant is in a difficult position whereby his family are living in the UK and he’s not allowed entry to see them.”

Matei has been living in Ireland, has been homeless, but has been working as a delivery driver and cleaner. Mr Edwards said Matei says he can’t return to Romania because of debts from his mother’s funeral, rent and food.

Her Honour Judge Nicola Jones noted Matei had been made subject to the indefinite deportation order on 5th November 2019 and was deported 13 days later. She acknowledged he says he faces the threat of serious, physical harm from individuals from whom he borrowed money if he returns to Romania, and that he has family in Nottingham.

Nevertheless, she said she had to impose a deterrent sentence. He will serve up to half the term of imprisonment. She added: “I make no order in relation to deportation – that’s a matter for the Home Office.” ⚖️