AN illegal Chinese immigrant arrested in Bebington was found in possession of a bogus Home Office letter.

Liverpool Crown Court heard that Xiou Chen later told police he had borrowed money and been smuggled into the UK by the notorious Snakeheads.

He was arrested after police arrived at the Sea Breeze takeaway in Bebington on other matters on October 29.

While searching the premises officers noticed Chen trying to leave and he was detained, said Michael Stephenson, prosecuting.

22-year-old Chen then produced a Home Office letter and claimed he was the person named in the letter.

He was arrested and the Home Office contacted and it was found that it was a genuine letter but related to a different man and had been altered.

Chen told police that he had been given a false passport by the Snakeheads and flew into this country in August and he was given the Home Office letter.

The court heard that since his arrest he has been held in a police station because of prison overcrowding and is awaiting deportation.

Chen, of Teehey Lane, Higher Bebington, pleaded guilty at Liverpool Crown Court to knowingly possessing false identification papers.

He was jailed for four months.

Ian Mercer, defending, said that Chen has been working doing odd jobs and cleaning since his arrival in the country.