London: An illegal immigrant from India, who failed to secure asylum and has been living here for the past 10 years, was apprehended by the authorities after he crashed his car into a pole while being drunk, and now faces deportation.
Indian-born Surinderjit Singh, 37, hid from the authorities in a flat in Burton upon Trent, and has been married to a British citizen since August, 2010. Immigration officials now plan to send him home, but his wife still hopes for a last-minute reprieve.
His lawyer, Neil O'Driscoll, told the Burton Magistrates' Court that his client accepted full responsibility for the crash, reports from Burton said.
He said: "He's been in this country since 2001. He's actually married to an English citizen. He is a failed asylum seeker, but his solicitors are appealing the decision."
The accident occurred on May 15.
Singh was led away from the court dock in handcuffs and is now being held at a deportation unit. The UK Border Agency has confirmed that it is taking steps to ship him back to India.
A spokesman for the agency said: "We seek to remove all foreign criminals who commit a serious crime in the UK at the earliest opportunity. Last year we removed 5,235 foreign criminals from the UK."
Presiding magistrate Margaret Gawthorpe waived the usual fines, costs and penalties incurred by Singh's offences in light of his imminent exile.
The court was told that when the police attended the scene of the crash they found Singh in his Land Rover Freelander.
He admitted driving with excess alcohol, as well as driving without a licence or insurance.
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