Car wash owner sentenced for employing illegal workers

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 3 Nov, 15:12 · Archive

A Hastings car wash owner has been sentenced after illegal workers were found at his business.

Ermir Halilaj, 38, of no fixed address, was sentenced on October 22 at Hastings Magistrates' Court to six months' imprisonment suspended for 12 months after pleading guilty to two counts of employing a person with cause to believe they were disqualified from employment by reason of their immigration status.

Sussex Police's Discovery team and partner agencies attended Halilaj's car wash in October 2025, where they identified a worker with no legal right to work in the UK. The business had previously been advised by police following concerns. During a subsequent visit, a second illegal worker was identified at the same business. Both workers were handed to immigration services.

Halilaj was ordered to engage with the Probation Service and complete 100 hours of unpaid work. PC Jon Tree from the Discovery Team said: 'Employers have a responsibility to carry out appropriate checks to ensure those working for them have the legal right to do so. Where we identify repeated failures to comply with the law, we will work closely with our partners to take proportionate enforcement action.'

Car wash owner sentenced for employing illegal workers — Image: Chichester Observer

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How it is being reported

Hastings business owner convicted of employing illegal workers, police sayA business owner has been sentenced for repeated instances of employing illegal workers at a car wash in Hastings, Sussex Police said.Chichester Observer · 3 Nov, 14:24
Car wash owner sentenced after illegal workers foundAs part of an investigation, Sussex Police's Discovery team and partner agencies attended the Hastings business, operated by Ermir Halilaj, in October 2025.The Argus · 3 Nov, 14:10

In this story: Ermir Halilaj · Sussex Police · Hastings · Hastings Magistrates' Court

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