A SINGLE mother who let family and friends stay in her home even though she knew they were illegal immigrants has avoided a spell behind bars.

Haoi Mai Coffey provided a roof over the heads of at least three Vietnamese nationals who were staying in the country without the correct documentation.

The businesswoman’s offending came to light when officers raided her Bolton home in October 2019 in connection with a large-scale cannabis conspiracy for which four people were sentenced at Preston Crown Court last month.

While Coffey was found to have played no part in the drugs conspiracy, a search of the house did unveil that people who did not have the right to stay in the country were and had been living in her home.

Opening the case at Burnley Crown Court, prosecutor Jon Close explained how when police arrived at her Dormer Street home a woman and her daughter, thought to be friend’s of Coffey’s were inside. A man believed to be Coffey’s brother fled the property as officers descended and has not been seen since.

There was also evidence to suggest that another woman had been staying at the address, though she was not present at the time of the raid.

Coffey, who owns a nail bar in Blackburn town centre, was given an eight month sentence, suspended for two years by Judge David Potter.

Sentencing her for three counts of counts of assisting unlawful immigration Judge Potter said,: “You are the owner of a nail and beauty salon and clearly that has an uncertain future. When it was forced to close because of the pandemic, you had a number of employees and I am satisfied that you have worked for that business and will work hard to make it a success again.

“You are a single mother and have two dependant children aged 14 and 8. I have read a letter from your daughter and from loyal customers of your business. They all speak highly of you.

“You have been assessed by the probation service as being of low-risk of re-conviction. You have spent six weeks on remand and many months on a curfew.

“Assisting unlawful immigration is always a serious offence, it allows those who have no right to remain to have a place to live.

“In many instances that allows them to work illegally. Your case is different from those who make it their business, who arrange for transport of immigrants to the UK and then exploit them for gain.

“These three were friends and family of you and their stay in your house was temporary. “However these offences are so serious that only a custodial sentence is appropriate.

“But because of the responsibilities you have to your children and the time you have spent on remand and on curfew, you will receive a suspended sentence.”

Coffey must also undertake 20 rehabilitation activity requirements days and must perform 100 hours of unpaid work.