A German national convicted of dealing Class A drugs has successfully avoided being deported from the UK after a court accepted he would face 'very significant obstacles' to integrating in Germany due to his lack of language skills.
The Crime and Conviction
Saleh Hussein Hamid, 25, was jailed for 33 months in September 2022 following a police operation in Leeds. The dealer, who operated a 'ring and bring' service, unknowingly delivered heroin and crack cocaine to an undercover police officer on multiple occasions.
His criminal activities culminated in a dangerous police chase. Officers attempted to pull him over as he drove a Mercedes through the city. Hamid ran three sets of red lights before eventually crashing into a metal post. He was finally detained on foot, with officers finding £300 in cash and £240 worth of cannabis separated into street deals.
Hamid was convicted on eight counts of supplying Class A and Class B drugs across West Yorkshire. He also admitted to charges of dangerous driving and driving without insurance.
The Deportation Battle
Following his conviction, the Home Office ruled that Hamid should be deported to Germany upon his release from prison. However, his legal team launched an appeal against the decision under human rights rules.
They argued that Hamid arrived in Britain as a child and was unable to speak German, which would create substantial integration challenges. Further claims suggested he would be targeted by far-right groups in Germany and that the country would be less tolerant of his Muslim faith.
The Judge's Ruling and Next Steps
The initial judge's ruling on Hamid's deportation has now been quashed. A new decision on his future is expected to be delivered next year, allowing him to remain in the UK for the time being. This case highlights the complex interplay between criminal law, immigration policy, and human rights legislation in the UK.
