AN asylum seeker allowed to stay in Britain has a “dreadful” criminal record, a court has heard.
Ashley Maparura’s 68 convictions emerged as he was jailed for carrying a weapon.
Maparura’s latest court appearance came just two months after the Zimbabwean, 34, was granted leave to remain in the country.
Since arriving in the UK in 2017 he has been jailed for shoplifting, possessing cannabis, attacking a driver with a hammer, ramming a police car and smuggling drugs into a detention centre.
Northampton crown court heard he was spotted on CCTV in February lurking behind shops in Corby, Northants, with a hammer in the early hours.
Dad-of-three Maparura, of Northampton, admitted possessing an offensive weapon and got 16 months.
Judge Rupert Mayo said: “I am glad you have been allowed to remain in this country but . . . this is a dreadful catalogue of serious convictions.”
Rules state that anyone convicted of a serious crime resulting in a jail sentence of 12 months or more, who is considered a danger to the UK, could be denied asylum.