N.I. takeaway owner caught employing illegal immigrant - court orders her to pay back more than £47,000 in criminal profits

A Chinese woman caught employing an immigration offender at her Lisburn takeaway has been ordered to pay back more than £47,000 in criminal profits.
Craigavon Court. (Photo: Presseye)Craigavon Court. (Photo: Presseye)
Craigavon Court. (Photo: Presseye)

The confiscation order for £47,379.90 was granted at Craigavon Crown Court on September 25 against Yan Yun He, 39, following an investigation by Immigration Enforcement’s Criminal and Financial Investigation (CFI) team.

A judge ruled that this was the proportioned amount of criminal benefit that He profited from running her business using an illegal worker. If He fails to pay up within three months she will face nine months imprisonment and will still owe the money.

He had been arrested on January 20, 2017 by CFI officers at the takeaway restaurant, The Emperor, that she ran in Longstone Street.

A man ran from the rear of the takeaway, discarding his apron before being detained by officers. This person was later identified as a Chinese national without leave to remain or allowed to take paid employment in the United Kingdom.

He was arrested and subsequently admitting facilitating unlawful entry to the UK and possessing criminal property. At an earlier hearing at Craigavon Crown Court she was sentenced to three months imprisonment suspended for three years to run concurrently on each charge.

Deputy Director Dave Magrath, from Immigration Enforcement CFI, said:

“Not only are we targeting and prosecuting criminals involved in immigration crime, but we are also determined that offenders should not profit from their criminal activity.

“This confiscation order will help to ensure He forfeits a substantial sum of money. If she does not pay, she will end up behind bars, and the money owed would still be hanging over her head.”

Anyone with information about suspected immigration abuse can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 anonymously or visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org