Illegal immigrant 'used fake passport to work at Sheffield hospital'

Ivory Coast national Charles Ada entered Norway on a three-month visa in June 1999, and then moved to the UK in September 2001, said prosecutor Stephanie Hollis.

His deception was uncovered when he applied to remain in the UK in August 2018, and his application was turned down by the Secretary of State last year.

Ada used a Norwegian passport to get a job as a laundry assistant at the Northern General Hospital, in November 2007, earning £148,000 over the years

He was arrested on January 14, and when his home was searched a second Norwegian passport and an Ivory Coast passport were found.

The court heard the passports were legitimate, but not made out in his proper name.

Lucy Hogarth, mitigating, said an immigration tribunal would meet in March to decide on his appeal to remain in the country.

The family court is also reviewing his contact arrangements with his son, who has "a variety of problems,” the court heard.

Ada, 46, of Headford Grove, city centre, pleaded guilty to possession of false passports and fraud when he appeared at Sheffield Magistrates Court, on January 15.

On Wednesday, the Recorder of Sheffield, Judge Jeremy Richardson QC told Ada, who has no previous convictions, that his future is "comprehensively uncertain."

"First, you could be removed from the UK," he said. "Second, your involvement with your son is open to question. Third, if you are removed it is unknown where you will go and what you will do."

But he added: "Although you are in this country illegally it seems to me you have worked very hard. There is much to be said for you."

The judge said he did not seek to influence the immigration tribunal or the Family Court.

A six-month sentence was suspended for two years, with 20 days of a rehabilitation activity and a three month curfew, from 6pm to 6am.

Ada was also ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.