A woman with a significant criminal record, including theft from vulnerable people, has been allowed to remain in the United Kingdom on human rights grounds. The decision came after a judge determined that Barbara Osmanovic, 40, is culturally and socially integrated into British society.
Osmanovic, originally from Kosovo, arrived in the UK as a child in 2000 and was granted leave to remain in 2006. Her criminal history began shortly thereafter. She has been convicted 13 times for a total of 29 offenses, primarily involving theft, fraud, and drug possession. In April 2023, she received a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence for charges including theft, fraud, attempted burglary, and possession of a knife. During her offending, she targeted disabled and elderly individuals. In one instance, she stole a purse from a woman in a wheelchair, subsequently spending over £1,600 on the victim's card.
The Home Office sought to deport Osmanovic due to her persistent criminal activity. However, an immigration tribunal ruled that deportation would be 'unduly harsh' under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights. The judge found that Osmanovic, who is of Roma heritage, lacked fluency in Albanian, had no significant support network in Kosovo, and would face considerable difficulties in obtaining necessary documentation for lawful residency and healthcare access.
The tribunal noted that Osmanovic, who has reportedly worked in cleaning roles in Birmingham and Manchester, has not made a 'positive contribution' to the UK. Despite her extensive criminal history and what was described as a 'chaotic lifestyle,' the judge concluded that it was too early to determine if she had ceased to be a persistent offender but affirmed her social and cultural integration into the UK. She did not attend her appeal hearing due to an inability to be contacted by her solicitors.