She told officials illegal immigrant was her boyfriend... but she didn’t know his name

Woman couldn’t tell port officials name of her ‘boyfriend’

A PIZZA delivery worker has been jailed for attempting to smuggle two illegal immigrants through Holyhead, claiming one of them was her boyfriend – even thought she didn’t know his name.

Linda Jankovska, 24, of Cruise Park Drive, Blanchardstown, Dublin, admitted facilitating a breach of immigration law on September 10.

Prosecuting barrister Simon Mills said she had two Albanian men with her after arriving on a ferry from Dublin. The court heard the ferry booking had been made using false names and paid for in cash.

When stopped at Holyhead, Jankovska (pictured) told border officials her front seat passenger was her boyfriend but, when asked for his name, had replied: “Whatever he said.”

Judge Timothy Petts told Jankovska at Caernarfon crown court that such offences had to be met with deterrent sentences. “They undermine the basis of immigration control,” he said.

Jankovska, from Latvia, was jailed for two years and four months, and forfeiture of her car was ordered.

The Albanians had both claimed asylum in Ireland and were returned there. Their true intention had been to enter the UK unlawfully and remain here as an economic migrant, said Mr Mills. “No doubt she’s done this for some form of financial gain.”

Elen Owen, defending, said Jankovska

claimed she had been asked to give the men a lift and was only paid the cost of the trip.

“It’s a tragic story of a young woman who’s struggled throughout her relatively young life,” said Ms Owen. “She’s lost everything. She’s lost her job. She’s lost her home.”

A man had “taken advantage of that vulnerability and to some extent put pressure on her”, she said.

Jankovska faced deportation to Latvia, the court heard.