AN IMMIGRATION worker accused of falsely marking up passports to allow people to remain in the country is to face a retrial.

The jury at the first trial of Aisha Ajia at Croydon Crown Court failed to reach a verdict on the 10 counts of misconduct in a judicial or public office.

Ajia, of Battery Road, Thamesmead, was a caseworker at the Home Office immigration office in Croydon and was suspended after an investigation.

At the first trial, which lasted more than a week, it was said she granted false endorsements which were placed in applicants' passports.

But the 44-year-old denied she had ever done anything improper, telling the court her computer might have been used by other members of staff.

She claimed she would sign in with her passport and leave her computer open.

Ajia will remain on bail until the next trial.