Good luck, immigration judge wishes thug

AN immigration judge wished a convicted knife thug good luck in his battle against deportation and gave him advice in how to deal with the Home Office.

Judge John Manuell granted Somalian Jamal Abdi bail on a surety of £250, and told him: “Let’s hope this all gets sorted.”

Abdi is fighting deportation after serving half of a four-year prison sentence for an attempted knife-point robbery.

He was applying for bail from an immigration centre where he is currently being held. His mother promised to pay £250 to the Home Office if he goes on the run.

Abdi, 20, from Slough, was with two other men in a park in the town when he pulled a knife and they demanded the belongings of a man in his 40s.

But, the three fled empty handed when another man walked past.

Abdi has won a stay against deportation, but was detained in a detention centre after the Home Office appealed to the High Court against the immigration tribunal decision.

Sitting at Hatton Cross Immigration Tribunal Centre, Judge Manuell described Abdi’s offence as a “mistake” and said he was happy to grant bail because he did not believe the Home Office would be able to prevent his deportation.

He also advised Abdi what to do next in his battle against the Home Office. Judge Manuell, who has now retired, granted bail in principle, provided that his mother’s home is approved as suitable accommodation by the Probation Service.

He said: “I do not think the Home Office is going to get permission to appeal, but I could be wrong.

“Use all the time to appraise your situation, build your case and show you are doing the right thing. Do something useful with your time.

“I am 66 and it seems only yesterday I was your age and we all make mistakes, but put them behind you and learn from them. Let’s hope this all gets sorted – be good.”