AN ILLEGAL immigrant who admitted possessing a fake driving licence has been jailed for eight months at Dorchester Crown Court.

Chinese chef Yu Ging Chen, 26, was arrested on June 15 after showing a false Irish driving licence to police when they carried out inquiries at an address in Weymouth.

Prosecutor Nicholas Rowland said it was the first time Chen had come to the attention of the authorities in seven years, since he had entered the country with false documents and had declared asylum at Gatwick Airport.

Mr Rowland said Chen had been issued immigration papers and released to sign in weekly at Gatwick but had absconded. The court was told he did not speak English and had believed the papers enabled him to remain and work in the country.

In a police interview Chen admitted entering the country illegally and admitted that the driving licence was a forgery.

The court was told Chen had already spent 35 days in prison.

Nick Tucker, in mitigation, said Chen was the only Mandarin-speaking inmate at Dorchester Prison, and that as none of the guards spoke Mandarin, the punishment was more isolating for him. He said for the past seven years Chen had been working as a chef and never claimed benefits.

The court was told Chen had never driven on the licence.

Mr Tucker said Chen had told probation officers he wished to stay in the UK.

Recorder Michael Selfe told Chen: "It is clear to me that you intended to deceive others by using the false driver's licence. In my judgement that is a serious matter which must result in a sentence of imprisonment."

He added: "I am told that the immigration service is aware of you, and I do not think I should as a matter of law make a formal recommendation for your deportation.

"However, I make it plain that it is my view that the immigration service should as a matter of urgency look into your case."

Chen was sentenced to eight months in prison.