Anonymity Granted to Serial Burglar Fighting Fifth Deportation

A judge has granted anonymity to a serial burglar who is fighting his fifth deportation from the United Kingdom, citing a claim of danger from an Albanian crime gang. The decision came shortly after the man reportedly shared a video of himself inside the court building.

The individual, who has been convicted of multiple crimes in the UK, has been repeatedly deported by the Home Office but has subsequently re-entered the country. He is currently appealing his latest deportation order and has applied for asylum, asserting that his life could be at risk if returned to Albania.

During a hearing last week at Taylor House Immigration Tribunal Centre in London, the man, who is in his 30s, stated that he fled to the UK because his enemies could more easily track him elsewhere in Europe. He also claimed that his mental health had been affected by previous media coverage of his case. On the same day as the hearing, he posted a video on social media that appeared to show him in a court waiting area, which he identified by name. This action could potentially violate a ban on photography and filming within court buildings, carrying a penalty of up to two years in prison for contempt of court.

His representative, Eric Fripp, argued for anonymity on the grounds that the man was pursuing an asylum claim for protection. Judge Ravinder Bagral granted this request. The press was not given an opportunity to contest the anonymity order during the hearing, although the Daily Mail has since applied for its revocation.

Alan Mendoza, Executive Director of the Henry Jackson Society, criticized the decision, stating, "Open justice exists so the public can see how decisions are made in their name. Granting anonymity to a career criminal who films himself in court for social media while facing his fifth deportation, over a threat he never reported to police, makes a mockery of that principle. The public deserves better."

Representing the Home Office, Khdeeja Khan noted the man's history of burglaries in the UK, including offenses committed after each of his four illegal re-entries. When questioned, the man acknowledged his offenses were "very serious" but maintained he was "forced" to return due to safety fears. He alleged he had fallen into the clutches of an Albanian crime gang upon his arrival in the UK at age 13, which compelled him to carry out burglaries. He claimed that attempts to leave the gang made him and his family targets.

The man further asserted that each time he was deported to Albania, gang members were searching for him, forcing him to leave within two to three weeks. He stated that initial attempts to settle in other European countries also resulted in his whereabouts being discovered. He told the court that while the gang had previously attempted to find him in the UK, there had been no issues for over a year, leading him to believe they had given up and that Britain was the only place he felt safe.

He described past incidents in Albania, including being kidnapped and having a knife held to his neck. He also mentioned his family's involvement in an Albanian blood feud, during which his uncle was shot, but claimed local police had closed the case due to corruption. Ms. Khan countered that there was no evidence to support his claims of risk in Albania and pointed out that he had not reported any threats to the police in either country.

Ms. Khan also highlighted the man's extensive social media activity, which included photos in luxury cars and nightclubs, questioning why he would draw attention online if he feared a gang. He responded that he "felt safe" in the UK but acknowledged that his posts could be viewed globally. The case was adjourned pending the judge's ruling.