by Craig Borland

AN IRAQI national has admitted flouting immigration restrictions by taking work as a chef at a Clydebank restaurant.

But Belan Ahmed won’t be sentenced until the status of an appeal over his right to remain in the UK is confirmed.

Ahmed, of Priesthill Crescent in Glasgow, pleaded guilty at a previous court hearing to failing to comply with an employment restriction imposed on him under the Immigration Act of 1971 by working at the Roma Restaurant in Sylvania Way South.

Solicitor Scott Adair told Dumbarton Sheriff Court on October 20 that there had been “a fairly lengthy course of discussion” with the Crown about the background circumstances of the case involving Ahmed and a Tunisian man who has pleaded not guilty to an identical offence.

Asked by a sheriff what Ahmed’s position was in relation to the immigration authorities, Mr Adair said: “His appeal for the right to remain in the country is still outstanding.

“There has been no formal decision on that, and the authorities haven’t told him when a decision is likely to be made.

“My submission was going to be to defer sentence to await that decision.”

Sentence was deferred until the day of the next appearance of Ahmed’s co-accused.