AN ILLEGAL immigrant who has been in Britain for 13 years, landed a job as a care worker by using a fake passport, a court heard.

Samuel Njoroge, who is a qualified accountant and studying for a Masters degree, lied about his identity because he had overstayed his time in the country.

But, after a court heard that the Kenyan was likely to be deported Recorder Rosie Collins decided not to jail him.

Instead, she ordered the 31-year- to observe an 8pm to 7am curfew for six months.

Claire Marlow, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court that Njoroge was working at New Direction as a carer for people with learning difficulties.

As a result of another investigation, which came to nothing, he was spoken to by officers and gave them the name Sammy Waniana.

She said he was dealt with by the police under that name and when it was entered into the police national computer it revealed nothing.

But when he was put though a live scan test his true identity was uncovered and he was arrested.

When he was questioned he said he had given the name he was using and had not intended to deceive the police. He said he had not only used the false name but also a fake passport to get a job.

Njoroge, of Dacre Road, Swindon, admitted having a false passport and obtaining a job by deception.

He asked for two similar deceptions to be taken into consideration relating to previous jobs where he had used the passport.

Matthew Scott, defending, said his client had only used the passport to get work to fund his education.

He said he came to Britain when he was 18 and applied for asylum, but did not follow through the request.

"His father was a politician in Kenya," he said. "One day his house was invaded by people and the defendant, who was a teenager, fled and spent time in a refuge camp.

"He has not seen his father since. He was taken with others to Belgium. He came here and claimed asylum."

Mr Scott said the immigration service were now aware of his client who could be sent back to Africa.

"The real punishment is that he has maybe returned to a country which is no longer home," he said.