Woman who used wigs and false papers to take UK citizenship tests jailed
A series of wigs and false documents were the tools used by Josephine Maurice, 61, as she pretended to be 13 different people in order to take the Life in the UK Test between June 1 2022 and August 14 2023, Snaresbrook Crown Court heard.
Maurice, a former bus driver and of Enfield, north London, had pleaded guilty to 13 counts of fraud, a charge of conspiracy to commit fraud and two counts of possession of another person's identity documents.
The case was heard at Snaresbrook Crown Court, east London (John Stillwell/PA)
District Judge Anthony Callaway, sentencing on Tuesday, described Maurice's actions as 'wholesale assault' on the immigration system and there was a 'clear advantage' to people who wanted to progress towards citizenship without following all the procedures.
The Life in the UK Test is a requirement for anyone seeking to obtain indefinite leave to remain or naturalisation as a British citizen.
According to the Home Office, it consists of 24 questions aimed at 'proving the applicant has sufficient knowledge of British values, history and society'.
Her defence lawyer Stephen Akinsanya told the court that Maurice was not the mastermind of the scam but the offences could potentially rise to 'affecting national security if people are passing tests when they have no right to be here'.
She was 'gainfully employed' as a bus driver but got sucked into 'something far more serious than she envisioned'.
The judge told Maurice who appeared via videolink: 'You attended test centres fraudulently undertaking Life in the UK Tests on behalf of other persons who, naturally, were supposed to and were intended to be there.
'It is clear that the fraud was deliberate and sophisticated and involved the alteration of identity documents, travel documents, false wigs and other matters.
'The geography was varied. You attended in person a variety of centres in London and elsewhere including Stratford, Luton, Hounslow, Reading, Oxford, Nottingham and Milton Keynes.'
Provisional driving licences were found at her home after her arrest earlier this year.
Maurice has a previous fraud conviction dating back to August 2015 and 'there are similarities' to the current case as it involved her 'impersonating' someone in order to take a driving theory test, the judge said.
Maurice appeared via video link from HMP Bronzefield where she has been a 'model inmate'.
Earlier prosecutor Nana Owusuh said it is difficult for investigators to quantify the financial benefits of the 'well organised' scam or to 'calibrate any gains'.
Mr Akinsanya described it as 'an unusual case' and told the court that for the 'level of sophistication and planning – the crown has provided no evidence that she is the mastermind of this.'
He said: 'Clearly in my submission, this is someone who has found herself involved in something far more serious than she envisioned.
'She found herself trapped to people she owed a sum of money.
'There are some levels of coercion and intimidation. She was not motivated by personal gain.'
Of Maurice, he said: 'Prior to her arrest she was a bus driver with Arriva and looking after her 25-year-old son who was afflicted with schizophrenia.'
Mr Akinsanya said: 'She foolishly agreed to help someone and this is where it has landed her – in custody and away from her son who is clearly vulnerable, that's what keeps her awake at night.
'She understands the implications of what she has done and for national security, and the court can treat such matters harshly.'
Minister for Migration and Citizenship, Seema Malhotra said: 'Today's sentence serves as strong evidence that this Government will use every tool at its disposal to root out abhorrent immigration offenders and ensure they face the full force of the law for undermining our laws and putting the UK's border security at risk.
'Josephine Maurice used wigs and sophisticated disguises to sit the Life in the UK test on behalf of over 14 genuine applicants in an attempt to gain them British citizenship and evade detection from law enforcement, she now faces over four years behind bars.
'I would like to thank our Criminal Financial Investigations team for their continued dedication to making the UK a safer place by ensuring that criminals like Maurice who participate in this evil trade are brought to justice.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Madeleine McCann prime suspect Christian Brueckner gloats cops ‘will NEVER pin case on me without a body' in sick letter
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MADELEINE McCann prime suspect Christian Brueckner has gloated that police will never pin the case on him without a body. In a sickening letter, the German sex fiend, 48, also goaded 'the dropping of the investigation will hit the world like a bomb'. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 9 Prime suspect Christian Brueckner goaded cops in a sick letter bragging that they will not find a body Credit: Darren Fletcher 9 British toddler Madeleine McCann disappeared from Praia da Luz in Portugal back in 2007 Credit: AFP 9 Bruckner taunted cops in a letter to claim they cannot find evidence against him 9 Police officers packed up a tent as they ended day one of their search for evidence connected to Madeleine McCann's disappearance Credit: PA The German paedophile bragged in a letter police do not have the evidence to back their accusations against him in the investigation into the toddler's disappearance. And Brueckner, 48, in jail in his homeland for rape, taunted cops, saying: 'Is there a body? No, no no.' The vile letter emerged as officers desperate to find a forensic link to him flew back to Germany after a fresh, three-day search in Portugal. They had combed scrubland close to where Madeleine vanished aged three from a holiday villa in Praia da Luz in 2007. German prosecutors are convinced of the predator's guilt — but he has never been charged and denies any involvement. Last month, a Sun investigation aired on Channel 4 revealed new bombshell evidence found at Brueckner's lair — including a kids' bike and a balaclava mask, as well as toys, guns and memory cards containing child kidnap stories. We revealed that he wrote horrifying fantasies about abducting and abusing a blonde toddler — and how this would leave him 'in paradise'. He also boasted in online forums about his desire to 'capture something small and use it for days'. But, in the verified letter seen by The Sun, Brueckner insists there is no evidence against him. He wrote: 'It is the important questions, the decisive questions that can never be answered. Madeleine McCann cops call off search as trawl of Brueckner's 'rat run' turns up nothing 'Was I or my vehicle clearly seen near the crime scene on the night of the crime? "Is there DNA evidence of me at the crime scene? Are there DNA traces of the injured party in my vehicle? 'Are there other traces/DNA carriers of the injured party in my possession? Photos? 'And, not to forget, is there a body/corpse? All no, no no.' He adds: 'You don't have to be a realist like me to predict that the accusations made against me will not hold up and that the investigation will be dropped.' Brueckner — named as a Madeleine suspect for five years — has also revealed in creepy letters a knowledge of how the German legal system works in his favour. He wrote: 'You know, of course, that in Germany you don't have to prove your innocence as a suspect, but that the public prosecutor's office has to prove that you are clearly guilty. 'Even the slightest doubt leads to an acquittal, if there is a court hearing at all.' 9 Portuguese police are searching various sites in and around the resort of Praia da Luz Credit: Dan Charity 9 The locations are around where Brueckner stayed in his car or in camping grounds Credit: Dan Charity Brueckner even claims the case against him is built on 'purchased witnesses' and reveals his awareness of his global notoriety. He added: 'Now, my path is paved with misjudgements, so to speak, but from now on the whole world is watching. 'Not even the Braunschweig regional court will now dare to make an obvious misjudgement. 'Even if an attempt is currently being made to create a shocking overall picture of me through purchased witnesses, it is the important questions, the decisive questions that can never be answered with 'yes'.' The latest hunt for DNA or forensic links on the case appeared to have ended without success on Thursday. Police were seen taking fibres by hand while a hole was dug at the site of an apparent tent from around the time of Madeleine's disappearance. However, it was unclear whether the search had found anything was found with enough potential value to the case it merited being sent back to Germany for testing. Brueckner had already moved out of his cottage in Praia da Luz when three-year-old Madeleine, from Rothley, Leics, arrived in the resort with parents Gerry and Kate and her two-year-old twin siblings. Those who want to understand how brutal the German justice system is in its attempts to hammer through its own law, even if nothing is true. Christian Brueckner He was living in his car, or wild camping in areas including this week's search site. In another letter seen by The Sun, Brueckner described how he used his drifter lifestyle to avoid detection. He wrote: 'Do you know that I was a drug dealer at that time in 2007? Investigators know this. 'I bought marijuana in Spain and sold it on beaches in the Algarve. 'I was never caught by the police because I followed a few principles. 'If possible, only drive during the day so that my battered hippie bus doesn't attract so much attention, only drive the necessary and most importantly, never provoke the police.' 9 Brueckner has been named as a Madeleine suspect for five years 9 Forensic cops comb scrubland close to where Madeleine vanished aged three from a holiday Credit: Dan Charity He added: 'Together with my dog and a lover at the time I enjoyed the 'temporary hippie life'.' The seeming failure of long-shot searches this week to find any traces of Madeleine is the latest in a string of blows for the case. German authorities, who maintain Madeleine is dead, are racing to find a way to keep dangerous Brueckner behind bars after he was cleared of further rape allegations last year. He told this week he plans to 'hide' when he is released — as soon as September 17 — taking hopes for the Madeleine case with him. The pervert was jailed in 2019 for the 2005 rape of an American pensioner just streets from the Ocean Club, where the McCanns stayed in Praia da Luz. In his letters, he whinges he has been framed so he can be scapegoated over the Madeleine case. Brueckner wrote: 'Right from the start they plotted a miscarriage of justice to make me vanish into thin air. And now half the world knows why.' And he adds: 'I am not exaggerating when I say that 80 per cent of what I have heard from the reports is not true. 'A large proportion of these lies are clearly being spread by the investigating authorities. "My words are directed at those who are taking this seriously and are not laughing about it. 'Those who want to understand how brutal the German justice system is in its attempts to hammer through its own law, even if nothing is true.' The Sun investigation aired on Channel 4 revealed the existence of computer hard drives which were vital in to persuading investigators of Madeleine's death. Our findings placed Brueckner at key Madeleine search point — the Arades Dam, in Portugal. And a document puts him at the location where he allegedly said 'she did not scream' as he discussed her with an associate. In the online message where he brags to another sicko that he really wanted to 'capture something small', he adds it would not matter 'if the evidence is destroyed afterwards'. German investigators last night remained hopeful British police might rejoin the investigation as an active inquiry.
NBC News
3 hours ago
- NBC News
New details about 2023 Titan submersible implosion revealed in Netflix documentary
An upcoming Netflix documentary reveals new details about the June 2023 Titan submersible, which was traveling to the wreck of the Titanic when it imploded, killing all five people aboard. "Titan: The OceanGate Disaster" looks at the warnings that were ignored about the submersible's designs. David Lochridge, the chief submersible pilot, tried to warn the company's CEO about the potential dangers and was fired for doing so. "There was nothing safe on that vehicle at all, hence why I raised my concerns verbally and also put them down on paper as well," Lochridge told the "TODAY" show. "When I raised the concerns and put them down on paper, on my quality inspection report, I was subsequently taken into the boardroom. Over a two-hour 10-minute period, I was dismissed from the company. So I was fired, basically." A part of Lochridge's job was to assist with the build of the submersible and then take the paying customers down to the wreck. OceanGate charged passengers $250,000 apiece to visit the site. Lochridge said he expressed his concerns over the course of the submersible being built. Part of his worries stemmed from the carbon fiber design of the submersible, which he said wasn't safe for deep dives. He also filed a federal whistleblower complaint and lawsuit to try and get the warning out to the public. The underwater vessel disappeared June 18 after officials said it suffered a " catastrophic implosion." OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, 61, who was piloting the Titan; deep sea explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet, 77, who was experienced in visiting the Titanic wreck site; British tycoon Hamish Harding, 58; and Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood, 48, and his son, Suleman, 19, were killed. OceanGate said in a statement Thursday: "We again offer our deepest condolences to the families of those who died on June 18, 2023, and to all those impacted by the tragedy." The company said it "permanently wound down its operations" after the tragedy and is fully cooperating with investigations being conducted by the Coast Guard and the National Transportation Safety Board.
Metro
3 hours ago
- Metro
TV fans have days to binge BBC's 'best crime drama' before return
One of the BBC's best crime dramas is returning for a second season this weekend. The Gold is based on one of Britain's biggest ever real-life heists, the 1983 Brink's-Mat robbery, in which six armed men stole £26million in gold from a security depot near Heathrow. The majority of the gold was never recovered and it's understood most gold jewellery bought in the UK from 1984 onwards contains traces of the stolen stuff. The brilliant ensemble cast is led by Downton Abbey's Hugh Bonneville as detective Brian Boyce, who sets up a police task force to route out the gold from the criminal underworld of south London. With all six episodes of the second season set to arrive on iPlayer this weekend, TV fans have just a couple of days to binge the first season if they missed it in 2023. The show defies the normal heist drama fare by plunging into that robbery in the first scene. The robbers only expected to find a small amount of currency, but chanced upon an amount of gold that would now be equivalent to around £100m. The rest of the first episode, and drama as a whole, then follows the hunt to find the gold before its melted down and vanishes – which most of it did. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Created by Neil Forsyth, the man behind Scottish crime series Guilt, the drama unwraps how the robbers quickly went ground as they sought to launder the gold. In the drama they do so with the help of gangster Kenneth Noye, played by Slow Horses' Jack Lowden, and a crooked solicitor, played by Dominic Cooper, who uses the cash to buy up land around the London Docklands. When the show first aired it was hailed as not only British TV at its best, but a modern crime classic and The Gold was nominated for a Best Drama Bafta in 2024. TV fans took to X – then Twitter – when the drama first aired to praise the the tremendous episodes and the show's knockout cast. @charlieray47 wrote that the show was an 8/10, tweeting: 'Stunningly shot, well-paced series that had me hooked. A gripping real story with a masterclass performance from Hugh Bonneville. 'One of the best British dramas I've seen in a long time. Only critique was a slightly rushed finale but thoroughly enjoyed.' More Trending @Cliff_Thompson1 added: 'The Gold is utterly brilliant – best drama I've seen in a long while.' @LW_Reviews said the show was a 4/5, adding: 'Riveting crime drama. May be one of the best performances I've seen from Hugh Bonneville & Dominic Cooper. 'While I thought Jack Lowden was very good I did feel at points his character was a bit too much of a anti-hero considering what happened in real life.' View More » The Gold season 1 is available to stream on BBC iPlayer, with season 2 dropping on Sunday (June 8). Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Casualty declares major incident as first look is revealed MORE: EastEnders confirms end of an era as huge change is confirmed MORE: Netflix is hours away from dropping all 6 episodes of 'traumatic' Australian thriller
