A Watford man, jailed for involvement in a sophisticated immigration scam, has been given a 'last chance' to get his five-year jail term cut.

Zahid Hafeez, 46, of Kings Close, Watford, was caged for his part in a plot linked to English language tests for foreign students.

Hundreds of non-EU citizens were said to have got student visas after paying fake 'sitters' to take tests on their behalf.

Hafeez was convicted of conspiracy to facilitate the commission of breaches of immigration law and facilitating the commission of breaches.

He was caged for five years at Harrow Crown Court on May 17 last year, Lord Justice McCombe told London's Appeal Court today.

Challenging the length of his sentence, lawyers pointed to his previous good character and said he was in prison for the first time.

But, in a letter dated January 17, Hafeez wrote that he wanted to sack his legal team and instruct a new one, the judge added.

Lord Justice McCombe adjourned the case, so that Hafeez can instruct new lawyers, but warned: "This is his last chance."

Hafeez was told that, if he loses his appeal, there is a "significant" risk he might be handed extra time behind bars for wasting the court's time.

No date was set for the resumed hearing of his appeal.