The UK Home Office is pursuing an appeal to deport a serial offender from Kosovo who a judge ruled should remain in the country due to being "culturally and socially integrated" in Britain. The individual, identified as Barbara Osmanovic, 40, has a significant criminal record, including theft, fraud, attempted burglary, and possession of a knife.
Osmanovic, who is addicted to heroin and cocaine and is of Roma heritage, arrived in the UK as a child in 2000 and was granted leave to remain in 2006. Her criminal activity began shortly after, leading to 13 convictions for 29 offenses. In April 2023, she was sentenced to two and a half years in prison in Manchester.
The Home Office attempted to deport Osmanovic in 2023 due to her persistent criminal behavior. However, an immigration tribunal ruled that she should remain in the UK on human rights grounds, citing Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights. The judge determined that deportation would be "unduly harsh" because Osmanovic is culturally integrated into the UK and would face significant difficulties if returned to Kosovo.
During the tribunal, it was noted that there is no evidence of Osmanovic making a "positive contribution" to life in the UK. Her criminal history includes a "mean" campaign of stealing from vulnerable and disabled individuals. In one instance, she stole a purse and £1,640 from a woman in a wheelchair. She also stole from an elderly shopper, attempted to break into a house, and was found with a knife in a public car park.
Osmanovic reportedly does not speak Albanian, lacks a support network, and would struggle to obtain necessary documentation for healthcare in Kosovo. The judge noted that as a Roma woman with foot deformities and mental health issues, she would likely face "significant difficulties obtaining the documentation necessary to reside lawfully and access healthcare." The ruling also suggested it was "too soon" to determine if she was no longer a persistent offender, despite her "criminality and chaotic lifestyle."
Osmanovic did not attend her appeal hearing as she did not have a working phone, and her legal representatives were unable to contact her. Her lawyer previously described her offending history as "sorry" and attributed the "meanest" offenses to her drug addiction.
A Home Office spokesperson stated the department's commitment to removing foreign criminals, noting that returns have increased by 52% in the two years leading up to June 30, 2026, with over 80,000 individuals removed since the last election. The Home Office confirmed it "disagree[s] with the court’s decision and have appealed for permission to overturn it."