A man who attempted to enter the UK at London Gatwick using a fake passport has been jailed, police have reported.

A Sussex Police spokesperson said: “A man who attempted to enter the UK using a fake passport has been jailed.

“Officers from Sussex Police’s Project Servator, working with Immigration Enforcement, apprehended the individual as he arrived at Gatwick Airport having travelled from Belfast, Northern Ireland, on 14 September this year.

“They had reasonable suspicion to check the validity of his documents, therefore the relevant checks were made which revealed the Italian passport the man handed over and the details he provided did not match the national database.

Ledian Hajdaraj pleaded guilty to possessing a fake passport in an attempt to illegally enter the UK. Picture courtesy of Sussex Police

placeholder image — Ledian Hajdaraj pleaded guilty to possessing a fake passport in an attempt to illegally enter the UK. Picture courtesy of Sussex Police

“After further questioning, he admitted he had given a false name and was not Italian.

“He was correctly identified as 21-year-old Ledian Hajdaraj.

“During a subsequent search, officers discovered and seized his original passport.

“Hajdaraj was arrested and transported to custody for interview, where he went ‘no comment’ throughout.

“He later pleaded guilty to possessing a fake passport in an attempt to illegally enter the UK, and at Lewes Crown Court on 13 October he was jailed for 12 months.”

Detective Sergeant Mark Baker, of Gatwick Operations, said: “Project Servator is a national policing tactic used by Sussex Police – including at Gatwick Airport – designed to disrupt crime and terrorism while providing a reassuring, highly visible presence.

“We will continue to work with partners to identify and prosecute anyone who attempts to illegally enter the UK through false representation or any other means.”