A Hastings car wash owner has been handed a suspended prison sentence after repeatedly employing people who did not have the legal right to work in the UK, despite previously receiving advice from Sussex Police.
Ermir Halilaj, 38, of no fixed address, was sentenced at Hastings Magistrates' Court on 22 October following an investigation by Sussex Police's Discovery Team and partner agencies.
The investigation began after officers and partner agencies visited the car wash business operated by Halilaj in October 2025.
During the visit, a worker was identified who did not have permission to work in the UK because of their immigration status.
Police said concerns about illegal working had been raised previously, and Halilaj had already received advice about his legal responsibilities as an employer.
Following a subsequent visit, partner agencies identified a second worker at the same business who also did not have the legal right to work in the UK.
Both workers were referred to immigration services.
Following the investigation, Halilaj was charged with two counts of employing a person while having cause to believe they were disqualified from employment because of their immigration status.
He pleaded guilty to both offences at Hastings Magistrates' Court on 19 August.
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Returning to the same court for sentencing on 22 October, Halilaj was given a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.
He was also ordered to engage with the Probation Service and complete 100 hours of unpaid work.
Sussex Police's Discovery Team works with partner agencies to investigate exploitation, modern slavery and organised immigration crime.
The team carries out visits to businesses across Sussex to identify potential offences, protect vulnerable people and ensure employers comply with the law.
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."
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