Man caught trying to smuggle wife into UK in a SUITCASE

Bogden Croitor, 30, attempted to secretly bring his wife into the UK after she was refused entry into Britain twice.

The Latvian man, who was given permission to live in Britain, was stopped at Dover, in October last year, where custom officials stopped his car for a routine search.

Border control at Dover then discovered that his wife was hiding in his bag. Croitor reportedly said he was returning from Calais after spending the weekend with his Maldovian-born wife.

The man, who suggested it was his wife’s idea to hide in the bag, was given a 14-month jail sentence suspended for two years at Canterbury Crown Court.

Judge Adele Williams said: “You could have absolutely no complaint if I had sent you to prison straight away because those who commit this offence normally always go to jail immediately.

“But I take the view that the way you committed this offence has extraordinary mitigating circumstances.”

His defense, Natasha Spreadborough, told the court his wife had made numerous applications for a visa and was refused.

Croiter, of Stanmore, London, was also given 100 hours of community service and ordered to pay £400.

Croiter remains in London while his wife was deported back to France.