Hastings business owner convicted of employing illegal workers, police say
A business owner has been sentenced for repeated instances of employing illegal workers at a car wash in Hastings, Sussex Police said.
A police spokesperson said: “In October 2025, Discovery Team officers and partner agencies attended the Hastings business, operated by Ermir Halilaj, during which a worker was identified who, due to their immigration status, had no legal right to work in the UK.
“This was not the first occasion concerns had been identified and previously the Discovery Team had provided advice to the business owner regarding his legal responsibilities.
“Partner agencies then identified a second illegal worker at the same business following a subsequent visit. Both workers were handed to immigration services.”
Police said Halilaj, 38, of no fixed address, was charged with two counts of employing a person with cause to believe they were disqualified from employment by reason of their immigration status.
He pleaded guilty at Hastings Magistrates’ Court on August 19, said police. Halilaj was sentenced to six months' imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, at the same court on October 22. He was also ordered to engage with the Probation Service and complete 100 hours of unpaid work.
The police spokesperson said: “The Discovery Team is committed to protecting communities by investigating exploitation, modern slavery and organised immigration crime. Working alongside a range of partner agencies, the team seeks to safeguard vulnerable people, disrupt criminality and ensure employers comply with the law by conducting regular visits to businesses across Sussex.
“Where offences are identified, Sussex Police and its partners will use the powers available to deter offending, prevent harm and bring offenders to justice.”
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.
“Our priority remains protecting vulnerable people from exploitation and ensuring those who seek to benefit from illegal working are held accountable.”