The Home Office's ability to deport foreign criminals may be curtailed after the European Court of Human Rights ruled that removing a Nigerian man convicted of rape would violate his right to family life.
The 24-year-old, identified only as AA, was convicted of rape at age 15 but has since undergone rehabilitation and is considered low risk. He lives with his mother, a nurse, in England and has obtained both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
The court stated that deportation would be disproportionate to the aim of preventing disorder and crime, given his exemplary conduct and rehabilitation over seven years. The Aire Centre, which represented him, called the ruling a 'resounding victory'.
The Home Office declined immediate comment. Last year, about 5,000 foreign national criminals were deported from the UK.
