Illegal immigrant took loan using false payslip

An illegal immigrant has been jailed for 16 weeks after using false documents, some created on his home computer, to get loans from two Black Country shops.

Kola Akingbade entered The Money Shop, in Stourbridge, on July 23 and presented a false bank card and payslip to successfully secure a loan of £300, Dudley Magistrates heard yesterday.

He tried to get another loan from the Halesowen branch on July 26 using a different card and payslip but was caught out by staff and later arrested.

The court heard Akingbade, of Gillott Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, was in the country illegally and was likely to be deported.

The 40-year-old pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud by representation and a further count of obstructing a police officer in the execution of his duties at a hearing on Saturday.

District Judge Michael Wheeler said given the circumstances a custodial sentence was the only option.

He was told Akingbade had originally been deported from the UK in 2006 following similar court proceedings but has returned illegally.

Mr Mark Cooper, prosecuting, said: "He told police he had found the bank cards and had created the payslips on his computer using the names on the cards.

"He originally gave false details to police and his real identity was only revealed following inquiries by officers."

Mrs Amanda Tomkins, defending, said: "My client is realistic about what will now happen and knows he is going to custody.

"When he returned to the country he was working. He lost this employment and was struggling financially which is why he committed these acts."

District Judge Wheeler said: "I take into account your guilty pleas but this is the only credit I can give you.

"You are in this country illegally and for these acts of fraud and obstructing an officer a custodial sentence is the only option."