Deputy who broke immigration law to be sentenced

One of Jersey's longest-serving politicians will be sentenced next week for breaking the island's immigration law.

Last year, Deputy Philip Ozouf pleaded guilty to four counts of assisting unlawful immigration and one count of attempting to assist unlawful immigration.

The Royal Court heard he had arranged for people from Rwanda to work at his laundry, My Eco Laundry, when they did not have the legal right to do so.

He will be sentenced on 5 February alongside his co-accused, Savoy Hotel director Roberto Lora, who recently changed his previous not guilty plea to guilty.

He is charged with two counts of assisting unlawful immigration and two of attempting to assist unlawful immigration.

In November, former minister Ozouf - who remains on conditional bail until his sentencing - was suspended from Jersey's parliament after issuing his guilty pleas to the illegal immigration charges.

The Privileges and Procedures Committee said it did not think it was appropriate for him to continue as a fully active States member until the court proceedings against him had concluded.

Ozouf had also been suspended in September for 28 days, the committee having put forward a proposal after he was fined for speeding, not having a valid insurance disc and for failing to attend three parish hall enquiries.

Ozouf was first elected to the States in November 1999.

His previously held roles include deputy chief minister, treasury and resources minister and external relations minister.

He could be thrown out of the States Assembly if he receives a prison sentence of three months or more.

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