A couple are accused of using two restaurants in a scam to get illegal immigrants into the country.

Sivakaran Kanagaratnam and his wife Niranjala Parameswaran, of Chestnut Grove, Northwood, are on trial at St Albans Crown Court facing 23 charges of assisting unlawful immigration to a member state.

The pair, both aged 34, are accused of making false work permit applications to the Home office, while working at Acme Consulting Services in Market Street, Watford.

The permits were then issued by the Government, on the understanding they would go to people promised jobs at a restaurant in Southall and another in Wembley, the court heard this week.

But once in the country none turned up for work and disappeared without trace, according to Robert, O' Sullivan, prosecuting.

The court heard that the Lasani restaurant in Southall was included on 18 work permits gained by Kanagaratnam, but not one of the 18 Sri Lankan or Indians had ever arrived at the restaurant. The five other charges relate to the Gana restaurant in Wembley.

Both defendants deny the charges. The trial is expected to go into next week.