Erion Hidri [2019] EWCA Crim 1618

The appellant pleaded guilty to possession of an identity document with improper intent and was sentenced to 10 months’ imprisonment. The appellant was an Albanian national stopped in possession of a false Greek driving licence.

The starting point of 15 months would have been appropriate if there was evidence the false document was used to evade immigration controls on entry to the UK. There was no evidence of that in this case.

Held: the case fell into a less serious category than the judge thought. The sentence was quashed and substituted with a sentence of 6 months’ imprisonment.