AN ILLEGAL immigrant living in Swindon who used fake ID in a bid to open a UK bank account today won a cut in his two-year jail term at London's Appeal Court.

Yimaz Dogan, 37, of Crombey Street, was jailed at Swindon Crown Court in July last year after he admitted possessing a fake ID.

But Lord Justice Gage, sitting with Mr Justice Burton and Judge Richard Brodrick at the Appeal Court in London, today cut Dogan's sentence to 18 months - ruling the original term was "manifestly excessive".

The judge said Dogan had illegally entered the UK from Turkey on the back of a lorry in 2005.

A few months afterwards, he attempted to open an account at HSBC in Swindon using a fake passport and driving licence.

However, the counter clerk, becoming suspicious, contacted the fraud department and police were notified.

A search of Dogan's house revealed a succession of "practice signatures" which the illegal immigrant had been trying to match to those on the passport and driving licence.

But lawyers on his behalf today argued the original term imposed was simply too long when compared to other sentences handed out in similar cases.

And, agreeing to cut the jail term, Lord Justice Gage said: "In all the circumstances, we would quash the sentence of two years and replace it with one of 18 months imprisonment.

"To that extent, and that extent alone, this appeal succeeds."