Flora Magdaline Mendes, 37, of Hitchin Road, Luton, was convicted in her absence at Luton Magistrates’ Court on 4 offences of providing unregulated immigration advice.

She was sentenced to 6 months’ imprisonment for each offence (to run concurrently suspended for two years), a curfew order to run 7 days a week (2200hrs – 0700hrs) until 29.08.2015 and ordered to pay a total of £2,325 in compensation and £2,881 in prosecution costs.

Ms Mendes pretended that she was a regulated solicitor and practiced under the firm name of Arch’s Law. She was, however, suspended from practice by the Solicitors Regulation Authority in January 2013.

District Judge Lee-Smith said that he had:

“…heard detailed evidence of the trail of destruction towards vulnerable people she left in her wake as she continued to practice. The damage is a very significant aggravating feature in this case…”

Speaking about the decision, the Immigration Services Commissioner, Suzanne McCarthy said:

“Ms Mendes chose to operate outside the law. I am delighted with the outcome of this case. I hope it sends a clear message to other people considering providing immigration advice- either act within the law or you will find yourself in court”.