Immigrants accepted a Swindon barbershop owner’s offer to create fake documents for them so that they could work there illegally.

Elias Roque, 26, of Harding Street, and his 24-year-old brother Elizeu, of Demorgan Crescent, appeared at Bristol Crown Court on Wednesday morning after pleading guilty to possessing identity documents with improper intent.

False identification provided Elias with the fake name of David Fernando Garcia while Elizeu was known as Alejandro Fernando Garcia when they worked at Guy’s Barbershop in the town centre between December 1, 2023, and January 23, 2024.

The court heard that the barbershop owner, Guy Awazi, had made the false Spanish identity cards for the siblings.

Rachel Stitt, prosecuting, said: “Mr Awazi recalls them asking for training and or employment.

“He advised the defendants that ID was needed and that he would create these documents.

“The defendants agreed and allowed their photographs to be taken for the creation of these documents.

“Immigration officers attended Guy’s on January 24, 2024, and spoke to the defendants, one of whom introduced himself as Alejandro Gonzales.

“In February, the documents were reviewed and considered to be counterfeit.

"While the defendants enabled the creation of the documents, they did not assist in the manufacture of these documents."

A Portuguese interpreter attended court so that the defendants, who have no previous convictions, could understand what was said during the hearing.

Their solicitor, Ravindra Chandrapala, said: “They both accept that what happened was illegal and wrong.

“They both came to this country when they were 20 years old, from humble beginnings.

“We all are human. Survival comes to mind - a roof over your head and food in your stomach.

“They wanted nothing other than to work, and they worked and were exploited.

“Neither of them did anything wrong. This is not a case where they have gone around mugging people or selling drugs. All they did was work.

“They were charged £300 for renting a chair in the barbershop. The owner owned the property where they were allowed to live and charged them £500 in rent.

“When the owner was approached, he suggested ‘I’ve had a visit from immigration in the past, lads, if you want to work, you will need to have a document’.

“They don't speak English, they are young in a foreign country. Would they have had the capability to manufacture something like this?

“They say the barbershop owner is the brains behind it, which is consistent with the evidence around this.

“They are an absolute delight to have in conference, they are extremely polite and nice, and they did not try to fight the issue.

“Elias’ partner is heavily pregnant and he is concerned about what will happen to her if he goes to prison. He wants to look after his partner and his brother wants to help, it’s a fantastic family unit.

“There is a lot of discussion about illegal immigration but this is a different category altogether. I’m trying not to jeopardise future applications to the Home Office for them to stay here.”

The prosecution’s application for the defendants to pay £1,200 in court costs was dismissed due to their financial situation.

Judge James Townsend KC explained that the defendants were being sentenced for “very foolishly using false documents to try and evade the immigration authorities in this country".

He went on to say that a prison sentence was usually imposed in these sorts of cases but would not be now because the Roques had already been in custody for 50 days and making the documents was “not your idea”.

They must each carry out 80 hours of unpaid work in the next 12 months and pay £114 to fund victim services.