UI2022003722

             The Appellant is a national of Zimbabwe born in 1995. In this matter he seeks to resist, on human rights grounds, the Secretary of State's decision to deport him as a 'foreign criminal'.

             This matter has a regrettably extensive history before this Tribunal. It is known to both parties so for the purpose of this decision I record it only very briefly here.

             On the 5 November 2018 the Appellant was convicted of possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply. Now an adult (aged 23) he was sentenced to 3 years' imprisonment. The Secretary of State invited the Appellant to make any representations he wished about why he should not, this time, be deported; the Appellant's reply was treated as a 'fresh claim' on both protection and human rights grounds, so that when the Secretary of State refused to revoke the deportation order, a fresh right of appeal arose.

             The matter finally came back before me for remaking on 17 June 2025. I was informed that in fact the Appellant had not been acquitted of all charges on 12 November 2024: he had been convicted of possession of cannabis. He had already spent one night in the cells and so on this occasion the magistrates simply ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the drugs. At that hearing I heard from the Appellant, and submissions by the parties. I reserved my decision.

         This decision shall follow the following framework. I shall first make findings of fact in respect of the Appellant's circumstances. I shall then apply those findings to each of his grounds of appeal, under the headings 'Return to Zimbabwe: the risk of serious harm' and ' Section 117C(6): very compelling circumstances '.