TEN illegal immigrants, many who fled torture and persecution in their native homelands, could be deported back home.

The asylum seekers appeared at Bolton Magistrates Court yesterday after police and immigration officials swooped on a Westhoughton pizza factory earlier this month.

Most of the defendants, who originate from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo, Ethiopia, Saudia Arabia, Zimbabwe and Guinea, are still anxiously waiting to learn their fate after the hearing was adjourned to Bolton Crown Court for sentence.

They all pleaded guilty to falsifying documents to get work.

The court heard how the immigrants had used false documents, including forged Home Office letters, French national identity cards and stolen or counterfeit passports, to obtain employment.

They were arrested at Stateside Foods on the Wingates industrial estate where they were working. putting toppings on pizzas.

The National Asylum Service (NAS) had been giving financial support to some of the immigrants. But the court heard that many of the defendants had been refused asylum and were no longer legally allowed to remain within the UK.

In some cases, the appeal procedures had been exhausted and deportation notices had been served.

Hayat Abrahim, aged 25, of St Helens Road, Bolton, was the only defendant jailed yesterday. She was sent to prison for four months for using a counterfeit Home Office letter to gain employment at the factory and obtaining a pecuniary advantage.

The court heard that Abrahim had been forced to cut all ties with her family in Saudia Arabia after she refused to marry her elder cousin. She was arrested and her mother disowned her, saying her behaviour was un-Islamic.

All ten defendants had applied for asylum.

Setina Mohammed Nur, aged 23, of Roosevelt Road, Bolton, was said to have fled Ethiopia to escape perscution after her father was killed and she was thrown in prison. Guylan Akela, aged 25, of Ormrod Street, Bolton, fled Congo after being tortured for supporting a political party opposing the government, the court was told.

Others before the court were: Noel Chivavaya, aged 27, of Closebrook Road, Wigan, originally from Zimbabwe; Kinolo Kikeni, aged 34, of Queensgate Road, Bolton, originally from Congo; Bonnet Mbombila, aged 33, of Bromwich Street, Bolton, originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo; Muledi Kingombe, aged 29, of Quebec Street, Bolton, also from the Democratic Republic of Congo; Blaise Nkieekobo, aged 30, of Hughes Street, Bolton, originally from Ethiopia; Bielleau Diallo, aged 18, of St Helens Road, Bolton, originally from Guinea, Matoumona Gisunda, 38, of Blackledge Street, Bolton, originally from Congo, and Raymond Christ Ngyiessie, aged 34, from Manchester, originally from Congo

They were remanded in custody to be sentenced at Bolton Crown Court on September 2.