Judge Grants Anonymity to Serial Burglar Fighting Fifth Deportation

A judge granted anonymity to an Albanian national fighting his fifth deportation from the United Kingdom after he claimed his life would be at risk from an Albanian crime gang. The decision came despite the man subsequently sharing a video of himself from inside the court building on social media.

The man, who is in his 30s and has a child in Britain, has been convicted of multiple crimes in the UK and has been deported four times previously, only to re-enter the country illegally each time. He is now appealing his latest deportation order and has applied for asylum, asserting that his life is in danger if he returns to Albania.

During a hearing at the Taylor House Immigration Tribunal Centre in London, the man claimed he fled to the UK because it was too easy for his alleged enemies to locate him elsewhere in Europe. He also stated that his mental health had been affected by previous media coverage of his case.

However, on the day of the hearing, he posted a video on social media appearing to show him in a court waiting area, which he identified by name. This footage could potentially violate a ban on photography and filming inside court buildings, offenses that can lead to prosecution for contempt of court and a prison sentence of up to two years.

Eric Fripp, the man's representative, argued that he was entitled to anonymity as he was pursuing an asylum claim on protection grounds. Judge Ravinder Bagral granted this request. The press was not given an opportunity to challenge the anonymity order during the hearing, though 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."

Khdeeja Khan, representing the Home Office, detailed the man's history of burglaries in the UK, including offenses committed after each of his four illegal re-entries. She questioned him in court about his acceptance of these crimes and his repeated breaches of UK border laws and deportation orders. The man acknowledged the seriousness of his offenses but maintained he was "forced" to return to the UK due to safety fears.

He recounted arriving in the UK at age 13 and falling under the influence of an Albanian crime gang that compelled him to commit burglaries. He claimed that attempts to leave the gang resulted in him and his family becoming targets. He stated that each time he was deported to Albania, he learned gang members were searching for him and he would leave within two to three weeks. He also alleged his family had become involved in an Albanian blood feud, during which his uncle was shot, but the case was not pursued by local police.

Ms. Khan challenged the man's claims, suggesting there was no evidence to support his assertions of risk in Albania and noting he had not reported any threats to the police in either country. The man responded that he did not report threats in Albania because the police were corrupt and the gang held significant influence.

Ms. Khan also pointed to the man's extensive social media activity, including photos of him with luxury cars and in nightclubs, questioning why he would draw attention online if he genuinely feared a gang. He replied that he "felt safe" in the UK but acknowledged his posts could be seen globally.

The case was adjourned pending Judge Bagral's decision on the anonymity order.