Immigrant jailed

AN ILLEGAL immigrant from Romania worked undetected in the laundry at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital for eight months. Eusebiu Alexa went under the name Don Pedro Alexandre and posed as a Greek national, the Magistrate's Court heard

He was reported to have lived in Board of Health staff accommodation at La Masse, Rue des Capelles, St Sampson's.

Information from the French authorities suggested that Alexa, 35, entered the UK illegally in 2000 on board the Eurostar train.

He came to Guernsey in March this year to find work.

Alexa, who had no previous convictions, took a job at the PEH and also worked as a doorman at a nightclub.

He was arrested on 17 December while working at the hospital.

In court, Alexa pleaded guilty to two charges, one of which was under the Terrorism and Crime (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2002.

He admitted entering the Bailiwick without leave and failing to give his correct name and date of birth to a police officer.

With regard to the second charge, which fell under the Terrorism Law, the court heard that on 14 November this year, Alexa was stopped as he drove off the Commodore ferry.

He completed a landing card stating that he was Don Pedro Alexandre, born on 15 August 1970 in Lisbon. Alexa wrote that he was a Greek national and that he worked as a doorman and lived in St Sampson's.

When interviewed on 23 December, he admitted that these details were incorrect and gave his real identity.

When asked why he did not have a visa in his passport, Alexa said that he did not think he needed one, Crown Advocate Paul Wilkins told the court.

Entering the Bailiwick without leave carries a maximum sentence of six months in prison, while failing to give a correct name and date of birth is punishable by a maximum of three months in prison.

Advocate Mark Dunster, defending, urged the court to impose 'nothing like' these sentences.

He said that his client's story was a 'human' one ' he had worked two or three jobs at times, he had paid his taxes and stayed out of trouble.

'Mr Alexa is nothing more than a man who wanted a better life,' said Advocate Dunster.

'All he wanted to do was come to Guernsey and work. He has been a model, hardworking citizen ' simply a man looking for a better life.'

Magistrate Russell Finch noted that Guernsey's Customs and Immigration had its own method of gaining the authority to obtain permission to deport someone, through the Lt-Governor, independently of the courts.

He also noted the lack of previous convictions and ordered that Alexa serve seven days in prison on each charge, to run concurrently.