A Slovakian man jailed for a Stoke-on-Trent brawl can stay in the UK, a judge ruled, citing rehabilitation and Brexit implications.
The 22-year-old’s name is private. He got 15 months for the violence. Two groups fought after a community center event. They used shovels, bats, and bars, and people suffered several injuries. The man even hit a woman with a shovel. The judge called it serious public disorder.
The Home Office wanted to deport him. They thought he was a public danger. But an immigration judge, Judge Christopher John Hanson, stopped his deportation.
The judge stated the man seems rehabilitated and hadn’t committed more crimes. The judge said Brexit makes deportation harder, applying to offenses before Brexit occurred.
He has EU law protection now, and to lose it, he must offend again. A report showed he finished anger management courses, as well as courses for violence and alcohol. He stayed out of trouble for two years and fully obeyed his license after jail.
Chris Phelps criticized the decision a lot. He thinks violent foreign criminals should be deported to protect the British public. He thinks it’s more important than criminal rights.
A Home Office person spoke on this. They deport foreign nationals who commit crimes. They want them off UK streets and aim to deport them fast. The public’s interest is swift removal, and they ensure there are no deportation barriers.