A care worker has been told he put vulnerable people at risk after using a fake French passport to obtain a job.

Umunike Mbaha used the fake document in order to find employment as care worker, completing shifts at Springfield Care Home in Woolston as an agency worker.

Southampton Crown Court heard how the Namibian national had arrived in the UK in 2018 having fled persecution, but was not eligible to work.

In 2021, the Home Office launched an investigation into the counterfeit passport in the name of Hope Makir, believing that it was being used by numerous people.

36-year-old Mbaha was identified, with officers obtaining more documents he had provided to the care home including a certificate of medical qualifications with several spelling mistakes.

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The investigation was closed when they could not locate the defendant, but just days later he was stopped for drink driving by police in Hampshire.

He was found with an NHS worker's card, which was believed to be a fake, with a forged marriage certificate also being identified.

Prosecutor, Keely Harvey said Mbaha, who claimed to live in St Mary’s Road, Southampton, worked at Springfield care home for four months.

He then gained another job in the care industry after that, working at the second site for around a year.

Southampton Crown CourtSouthampton Crown Court

Ms Harvey added: “It is concerning for a number of matters.

“The fact that he appears to be working there under a false name. No checks were able to be done on him.

“He has gained money from that employment. We don’t know how much he was being paid. It must have been at least on minimum wage.

“That real risk was to the patients in his care.”

Mbaha pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation and possessing or controlling identity documents with intent.

The offences were committed on October 18, 2021.

The court was told that the Home Office intends to detain Mbaha when he is released from custody with the aim of deporting him.

Judge Nicholas Rowland said Mbaha had used the fake passport to back up other false documents and concluded “there is no realistic prospect of rehabilitation”.

He added: “Those people were put at risk. You were dealing with these vulnerable people over a protracted period of time.”

Mbaha was jailed for 12 months.

Grace Coupland, mitigating, said her client “understands entirely the unfortunate position he has placed himself in and others.

“He understands he was not allowed to work and he was wrong for taking the steps to do so.

“There is no suggestion of mistreatment. He arrived in the UK in 2018 having fled persecution in Namibia.

“During this time he started the offending and did so to provide for himself. He was desperate and prioritised his needs as a result.

“He takes full responsibility for these offences and he is remorseful.”

The court heard how Mbaha intends to apply for asylum in the UK again while in custody. The fake passport has never been recovered.

Springfield Care Home was approached for comment but they told the Echo that Mbaha was an agency worker who was hired by DHS Recruitment.

DHS Recruitment declined to comment.