A man who claimed he was British after allegedly swimming from France to the Channel Islands is set to be deported. ‘David Henry Law’ was pulled from Rozel Bay in Jersey in 2024 and told authorities he had swum for 13 hours. He was clutching just €265 in cash and possessed no official ID – and recited Shakespeare in a bid to prove his nationality.
The individual, who gave his name as ‘David Henry Law’, was hauled from the water after three people heard him crying out for assistance. The man, who was sporting a wetsuit, swimming cap, goggles, and a belt bag containing cash, insisted he was a 35-year-old British citizen.
However, officials could trace no record of him, and he was banged up for entering the island illegally. A complicated legal predicament quickly emerged as questions surrounding what would become of ‘David Henry Law’ once his prison term concluded this month remained unanswered – unless his true identity could be established.
Now, the Jersey Customs and Immigration Service (JCIS) have revealed they know who this mysterious individual actually is – and that he possesses no right to reside on the island. JCIS have confirmed the individual employed a bogus name and is not a British citizen.
Though the service have stated they will not disclose his genuine identity for “privacy reasons”. JCIS are coordinating with international authorities to arrange further plans for the individual, as well as his deportation to another jurisdiction.
Until then, the individual remains detained at La Moye Prison, now under immigration custody. The Jersey Customs and Immigration Service (JCIS) has confirmed that a detailed investigation has identified the individual who arrived in Jersey in September 2024, who was subsequently arrested and charged under the Immigration (Jersey) Order 2021.
In a statement, JCIS revealed: “Enquiries made by JCIS have established that the person who claimed to be David Henry Law, and to be a British citizen, is not David Henry Law and is not a British citizen. Enquiries made by JCIS have also established that the individual has no right to reside in Jersey.
“JCIS are now liaising with international authorities to make further arrangements regarding the individual and his return to another jurisdiction. While this liaison is ongoing, the individual currently remains at La Moye Prison under Immigration detention, having now served his custodial sentence.
“JCIS cannot give any further details about the individual’s identity for privacy reasons and will not make any further comment”.