By Phil Coleman

Last updated at 13:24, Thursday, 14 June 2012

The boss of a Chinese takeaway restaurant in Maryport has appeared before magistrates to face four charges of illegally employing immigrant workers.

Magistrates ruled that the case against Ping Shen, 44, whose restaurant is in Wood Street, was so serious that it should be dealt with by a judge at Carlisle Crown Court.

Shen has yet to enter her pleas to the allegations, which have been brought under the 1971 Immigration Act.

During the hearing at Workington’s magistrates’ court, the details of the four charges were revealed.

Each included the name of the worker said to have been employed at the Pearl Garden Chinese takeaway in breach of immigration law. The workers were named as Fong Lin, Alester Sarn, Zian Bin Shen, and Ping Wu.

In each case, the offence was said to have been committed on November 16 last year.

The case was adjourned until July 11, when Shen will be back before magistrates so that her case can be formally sent to the Crown Court in Carlisle.

First published at 11:28, Thursday, 14 June 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk