Corbetts' bosses facing illegal workers fine

The boss of a Shropshire firm was today facing a potential fine after it was discovered a number of employees were working illegally, home office officials said.

Immigration officers swooped on W Corbetts & Son (Galvinizing) on Halesfield 1, Telford, yesterday morning.

Six workers were questioned by officers and checks showed they had entered the UK illegally using forged EU passports.

They were released on immigration bail to report to an immigration office while steps are made to deport them back to their home country. Two others fled the site.

A Home Office Border Agency spokesman said: "The employer has been served with an on the spot penalty notice of up to £60,000.

"He could be potentially made to pay this unless he can prove he carried out the correct pre-employment checks on the work force."

Mark Statham, Corbetts managing director, welcomed the operation yesterday and said they had fully co-operated with officers.