Former mayor loses deportation appeal after rape conviction

A former mayor convicted of raping a woman twice lost his appeal against deportation, an Upper Tribunal judge ruled. Aigard Balesvics, the former Mayor of Wisbech in Cambridgeshire, was jailed for six and a half years in 2023. He could be released conditionally in December 2027.

Background of the case The court heard that the victim repeatedly said "no" and tried to leave, but Balesvics continued. He stopped only after she began crying. During a police interview, the woman said she tried to push him away and could not escape. Two men later removed him from the home after she contacted a friend.

Deportation proceedings Balesvics received a deportation decision in 2023 and submitted written representations claiming very compelling circumstances based on family and private life. Officials refused the claim and ordered deportation. A judge initially found removal unduly harsh, but the Home Office appealed.

The Upper Tribunal judge ruled the claim fell short of demonstrating circumstances that outweighed the public interest in deportation. A Home Office spokesman said the department will do everything in its power to remove foreign criminals from British soil.