A FRAUDSTER who travelled around the county taking English language and citizenship tests for refugees has been jailed.

Ahmed Ali, of Appleby Close, Highams Park, was jailed for 32 months on Tuesday (April 18) at Croydon Crown Court.

Ali took four exams at Life in the UK test centres in Ilford, Liverpool, Slough and Croydon between December 2015 and June last year.

On four occasions the 34-year-old used a dodgy Somali passport and bogus UK travel documents to sit the exam needed to get citizenship or long term settlement in Britain.

Bearded, with a long ponytail, Ali pleaded guilty to four counts of possessing identity documents with intent and four counts of fraud by false representation.

Life in the UK tests are a key part of the application for British citizenship or settlement in the UK.

As part of the test those wanting to gain citizenship or remain in Britain must pass a language test and answer 24 questions in 45 minutes about British traditions and customs.

To take the test applicants must produce a valid passport or UK driving licence, certified travel documents, a legitimate identity card or immigration documents.

Ali admitted to four counts of fraud by false representation and four counts of possessing identity documents with intent.