A 24-year-old Nigerian “student” who followed a woman in Dundee and asked two young children to walk with him is to be deported.
Dennis Ahonsi, of Thurso Crescent, was jailed for three months on Tuesday by Sheriff Alastair Brown after the court was told the Immigration Service would be detaining him upon his release from any prison sentence imposed at the sheriff court.
Ahonsi had previously admitted that, on November 13 last year, at Hilltown, he conducted himself in a disorderly manner by following a lone female, repeatedly asking her personal questions, causing her to suffer fear and alarm, and committed a breach of the peace.
He also admitted that, on November 16 last year, at Spey Drive, he conducted himself in a disorderly manner by engaging two children in conversation, claiming to be their friend and asking them to accompany him in a walk, causing them to suffer fear and alarm, and committed a breach of the peace.
The court had heard Ahonsi had come to Dundee from Birmingham and had intended to take up a university course, but never had.
The Courier understands that he applied for a place at Abertay University but his application was rejected after it was found he did not meet the conditions.
However, he stayed on in the city.
Sentence was deferred until Tuesday for reports, which the court heard had been compiled on the basis that he was to be deported.
Depute fiscal Vicky Bell told the court the Home Office had written to the Sheriff Clerk’s office, stating its intention to detain Ahonsi upon his release from prison.
Solicitor David Duncan said his client had been remanded since November 26.
Sheriff Brown said: “This has gone on for long enough,” and told Ahonsi he would be jailed for three months, backdated to November 26.
He added: “You pled guilty to conduct which caused alarm to a young woman and two children. I still don’t know whether you did that out of any sinister motives or you just didn’t understand, but I’m concerned about the effect.
“You did no actual harm and although there is concern from the social work department about the motives, I have no information that you represent any particular risk to anyone.
“If not for the immigration situation I would have been looking for supervision, but that’s not practical.
“I will sentence you to three months in prison, backdated to November 26. That means you will be released from prison almost immediately.”
He added that the immigration officials can deal with the case after that.
The Home Office said last night: “We have detained Dennis Ahonsi for the purpose of progressing deportation or removal from the UK.”
The case had caused the Scottish Conservative North East MSP Alex Johnstone to hail the Westminster Government’s actions over stray foreign students who enter the UK but do not fulfil their plans to go to British universities.