FORMER RAPIST FACES DEPORTATION AFTER BRIGHOUSE SUPERMARKET FRAUD ATTEMPT
A court heard how Nigerian “overstayer” Damilare Awobona was arrested by police last September after an unsuccessful attempt to buy another mobile phone the same day.Following a struggle with a police officer and a security guard the 21-year-old Londoner was found to have a fake driving licence and the debit card he had used at the Tesco store earlier to buy two Blackberry phones.
During his sentence hearing at Bradford Crown Court Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC was told that in 2008 Awobona was locked up for nine years for rape.
His lawyer Michael Reeves said Awobona came to this country to live with his sister at the age of 12 following the death of his parents in Nigeria.
He said his client, who has now been recalled to custody for breaching his licence, lived in London with a partner who was pregnant and expecting a child in August.
Awobona, who took part in the hearing via a video link to Leeds Prison, pleaded guilty to possessing an identity document with an improper intention in relation to the driving licence which contained his photo but someone else’s name.
He also admitted possessing the NatWest Visa debit card for use in fraud.
Judge Durham Hall said Awobona had come here for the best of reasons due to his tragic personal circumstances, but in 2008 he was before a crown court facing multiple charges of rape and received nine years.
“It follows that these offences, committed on September 28, 2012, must have been within a reasonably short period of your release,” noted the judge.
Judge Durham Hall jailed Awobona for a total of 16 months but added: “The Home Office I am sure, if they are doing their duty which I know they do with great assiduity, will be looking at your status.”
