Overseas Angels, the company name Immigration Advisor Angelique Blin traded under. A Guernsey court adjourned her trial on theft and fraud until next week.
A Guernsey judge has adjourned a review of the case of immigration advisor Angelique Blin for a week so the original judge who was hearing the case returns from leave in a week's time can hear it.
Blin, 49, a resident of Guernsey who trades under the name of Overseas Angels is charged with seven counts of fraud with an alternative of seven counts of theft.
Judge Russell Finch, who presided over the two previous hearings in June, had ordered Blin to be confined to the Castle psychiatric hospital on the island for treatment and tests after her defense team, led by Guernsey Advocate Peter Ferbrache, had argued that Blin was not fit to plead to the charges against her.
Angelique Blin arriving for her original Royal Court trial in June with defense counsel Advocate Peter Ferbrache. This trial was halted whilst she was confined to the island's Castle psychiatric hospital for tests and treatment (Photo credit Steve Sarre of the Guernsey Press)
The halting of the original trial came after conflicting evidence from two psychiatrists, Dr Saal Senevirante from the UK at the request of the defense, and Dr Hazi Haque on behalf of the Crown. Whilst they agreed Blin had problems, they did not agree as to the extent and as to whether alcohol was a contributory factor.
At Thursday's hearing in Guernsey's Royal Court, which was a plea and direction review, Guernsey's Deputy Bailiff Richard Collas heard further pleas from Blin's defense that she would be unfit to plead to the charges being brought against her. Defense backed this up by a report from psychiatrist Dr Peter Turner who examined her whilst she has been confined to the Castle hospital. Dr Turner concluded she was unfit to plead.
Advocate Ferbrache told the latest hearing that his client was about to be discharged from the Castel Hospital where she had received considerable assistance.
Crown Advocate Fiona Russell for the prosecution said that while Dr Turner’s report was pessimistic, it was early days yet and she thought that there might be merit in engaging the services of a forensic psychiatrist or someone who had experience in that area. ‘It’s my view that the matter should be explored further,’ said Advocate Russell.
Deputy Bailiff Richard Collas said he did not consider that he was able to make a substantive order alone. Judge Russell Finch had been dealing with the case and he would be available to sit again next week. Mr Collas therefore adjourned the case and Ms Blin’s conditional bail was extended until then.
The charges against Blin are from allegations that she took money from people both within the UK and outside the European Union promising to get them visas and work permits, and did not provide the services.
All the complainants are non-EU citizens who wished either to work or study in the UK, or wished to extend/alter their existing immigration status within the UK.
The complainants, who include Pinoys as well as from other countries, also alleged that Blin refused to provide refunds.
The specimen charges relate to £26,000/P1.7-M in value.
Earlier reports:
[GUERNSEY IMMIGRATION ADVISORS DECEPTION TRIAL HALTED]
[IMMIGRATION ADVISOR CONFINED TO GUERNSEY PSYCHIATIC HOSPITAL]
Posted at: 02:48 AM | Add Comment
| 
| 
del.icio.us
