The hard-up owner of two Chinese takeaways has admitted to illegally employing asylum seekers at his two Aberdeen businesses.
Wengang Liu, 41, was “not doing well financially” so brought in cheap labour to staff the city’s Golden Crown and O’ Kitchen takeaways.
Aberdeen Sheriff Court was told that despite none of the five workers having the right to work in the UK he paid them cash-in-hand for an undetermined period.
His illegal immigration operation was eventually halted when officers from the UK’s Home Office swooped on Liu’s premises.
Home Office search premises
Fiscal depute David Rogers told the court that an ongoing investigation was being carried out by immigration officers into the situation of workers at the Golden Crown, on Crown Street, and O’ Kitchen, on Craigshaw Drive.
The was also an investigation being carried out into Liu himself, Mr Rogers said.
“The police formed the opinion that the workers at both restaurants did not have the right to work there,” he said.
“A warrant was granted for both restaurants on July 26 2021 and officers from the Home Office Criminal and Financial Investigation and Immigration Compliance and Enforcement teams carried out a search of both premises on August 12 2021.
“A number of illegal workers were detected within the premises.”
The investigation found that the five workers were being paid cash-in-hand and provided accommodation by Liu.
Mr Rogers said the workers were housed at “various addresses across Aberdeen”.
Lui pleaded guilty to three charges of employing three workers at the Golden Crown who had not been granted the right to enter the UK.
He also admitted to two charges of illegally employing two workers who did not have the right to work in the UK at O’ Kitchen.
Accused was struggling financially
Defence agent Gregor Kelly told the court that his client had been “approached” by the workers for employment as they were having their asylum applications processed.
“These workers were paid a living wage and accommodation was provided – but they do not have the legal paperwork to work here legally,” he said.
“Mr Liu is not a wealthy man.
“He bought two restaurants and was not doing well financially and he employed these workers illegally.”
Sheriff Margaret Hodge deferred sentence on Liu, of Matthews Road, Aberdeen, in order for a criminal justice social work report and restriction of liberty order assessment to be carried out.
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