Pakistani drug dealer avoids deportation because he was 'star pupil' in school and it would 'negatively impact his mental health'

The drug ring included dealing both Class A and B drugs, but an immigration tribunal ruled that he could stay in the UK because his removal to Pakistan could "have a negative impact on his mental health".

Upper Tribunal Judge Luke Bulpitt denied the Home Office's request for deportation because of his "star pupil" status at school, along with several mental health diagnoses.

He said that Izhan would struggle to integrate in his home country because they were not aware of his "ADHD or his criminality".

Izhan was seven when he moved to the UK with his mother and brothers back in 2010, moving in with his father in East Anglia.

Despite his supposed "star pupil" status, he received cautions at school for shoplifting and bringing a bladed weapon into the classroom. He was suspended in 2015 and later expelled.

He is then said to have been in a "sophisticated" drug operation between 2022 and 2023, to which he pleaded guilty.

After his suspension from school, he was recommended for additional support for his ADHD.

Tribunal Judge Samina Iqbal "resulted from his inability to properly regulate his ADHD" and that he had "received some peer pressure, which encouraged his offending behaviour".

Despite this, he said that he was "fully immersed in his school life" because he had attended primary and secondary school in the same city, played rugby for the school team and was a "star pupil".

A psychiatrist ruled that the defendant may have shown signs of ADHD, but also had "mental and behavioural disorder due to the use of [cannabis]".

Judge Iqbal denied the Home Office's attempts to deport Izhan after his initial conviction in March 2024.

The judge later rejected the Home Office's appeal because it could have a "negative effect on his mental health".

He said: "There is a high likelihood of significant deterioration in his mental health and engagement in drug-related behaviour that will further have a negative impact on his mental health."

Izham's role in the school rugby team, along with the fact that he attended both primary and secondary schools in the same city, played a big role in him being viewed as a "star pupil" - despite the fact he was suspended, and then ultimately expelled, from the latter.

Pakistan now leads all 175 nations from which migrants seek refugee status in the UK, with more than 11,000 asylum applications recorded, placing it ahead of Afghanistan, Iran and Eritrea.

Pakistani nationals also now account for one in ten of all asylum claims.

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