BLABY – Two convenience stores in Leicestershire have been shuttered by local authorities following revelations that they are linked to a convicted people smuggler once described as a leading figure in French migrant camps.
The shops, both trading as Candy Corner, were closed for 72 hours by Blaby District Council under anti-social behaviour legislation. The action follows an investigation that uncovered the presence of Twana Jamal, a man with a significant criminal history in France, operating within the businesses.
The closure marks the immediate regulatory response to findings that Jamal had been working illegally at both premises, performing deliveries and operating a vehicle without a valid licence.
Operational Irregularities and Identity Concerns
Investigations into the two Candy Corner outlets revealed a pattern of illicit activity involving Jamal. Evidence indicates he was utilizing a false name while managing the stores and conducting business operations on the outskirts of Leicester, raising questions over due diligence by those responsible for the businesses.
Reporting teams witnessed Jamal driving a BMW without a licence and managing the logistical side of the mini-marts. According to officials, this behaviour contributed to wider concerns about anti-social behaviour and crime linked to the premises, triggering the current intervention by the local council.
Criminal History in France
Jamal, an Iraqi Kurd, was a central figure in the illicit movement of migrants across the English Channel prior to his arrival in the UK. French authorities previously identified him as one of the most successful people smugglers ever apprehended, operating in and around migrant camps in northern France.[2]
His criminal profile includes the following:
- Conviction: Sentenced to five years in prison in France in 2016 for his role in a large-scale smuggling network.
- Operational Scale: Earned up to £100,000 per week facilitating illegal crossings.
- Methodology: Specialized in the use of freight lorries, the primary mode of cross-channel smuggling before the prevalence of small boats.
- Reputation: Described by authorities as “the godfather” of migrant camps in northern France.
The presence of an individual with this background at local retail premises is likely to intensify political scrutiny of enforcement gaps between border crime, asylum processes and everyday business regulation.
Asylum Status and Legal Eligibility
Jamal is believed to be seeking asylum within the United Kingdom. When confronted, he stated he had applied for asylum and was “still waiting” for a decision. It remains unclear what name was used on the formal application, or whether the full extent of his past criminal conduct has been disclosed to UK authorities.
Under existing UK law, the eligibility for asylum is strictly governed in part by the applicant’s criminal record. The [Nationality and Borders Act 2022] and related immigration rules allow for claims to be refused where a person has been convicted of a “particularly serious crime” and is considered a danger to the community, as well as where they have received significant custodial sentences overseas. Given Jamal’s five-year sentence in France, his case is likely to test how rigorously those exclusions are interpreted in practice.
Local Government Intervention
Blaby District Council acted swiftly to implement a temporary closure of the premises. The use of anti-social behaviour laws allows the council to secure the sites while a more permanent legal solution is sought, and is intended to reassure local residents that concerns around crime and disorder linked to commercial properties will be addressed.
The current 72-hour closure serves as a precursor to a longer-term injunction. An application to extend the closure of both Candy Corner shops to a period of three months will be presented at Leicester Magistrates Court on Monday, July 6, where magistrates will consider evidence from the council, police and any representations from those connected to the businesses before deciding whether the order should be prolonged.
