ID thief’s stolen my good name

VICTIM OF FRAUD . . . The real Catherine Machala Bennett and husband Peter, with her real passport, but someone else’s criminal record

AN Oldham woman has had her identity stolen by a thief who has taken over her life.

Machala Bennett stands to lose her security job and fears she will be visited by deportation officers after a woman from Ghana began using a passport in her full name — Catherine Machala Bennett.

The Ghanaian has been convicted of stealing the real Machala’s identity and given a 15-month jail sentence, with deportation at the end of it.

But because she won’t give the authorities any other name, date of birth or birthplace, the police and the Criminal Records Bureau say they cannot alter their files.

The real Machala, (36), of Netherhey Street, is appealing to Justice Secretary Jack Straw to step in and give her back her name.

Machala and her husband Peter (38), found out about the thief when Machala made a doctor’s appointment a year ago.

Staff told her her records had been moved to Slough, Berkshire.

When she protested, they showed her a faxed copy of the passport a woman had used to get on a GP’s list, with Machala’s details, but a different picture.

Machala now believes the woman was using a passport she applied for in 1999, which never arrived.

A second 10-year passport was issued and Machala has since travelled to Turkey, Crete and Spain using it.

An angry Machala said: “I now work in the security industry and have to have a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check.

“But it came back just over a week ago with her conviction on it in my name for identity fraud.

“One police officer in Slough has been absolutely fantastic, but she has not been able to get the Police National Computer (PNC) changed.

“All they have done is put a subsection on it. I was told I had to go to the police station to give my fingerprints and prove I am not a criminal.

“But I refuse to go. I am the victim.

“If I can’t get this sorted, it could affect my security industry licence, and if I’m pulled over by the police in my car this will come up.

“A year ago this was stupid but now I’m frightened someone will come knocking at 3am and try to deport me.

“All I know is she is a cleaner, has three children and was convicted at Reading Crown Court in March.

“But she has stolen my life, and I am the one who is having to fight for what is rightfully mine.”

Husband Peter added: “We have written to Jack Straw to get it sorted, but saying sorry won’t be enough. We want answers.”

The couple have contacted their MP Michael Meacher, and are to write to Immigration Minister and Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Phil Woolas.

Mr Meacher has already written to the Home Office, Fraud Investigation Unit, Passport Agency, and the head of Oldham Police, Chief Supt Caroline Ball, on Machala’s behalf.

Now he has learned of her CRB problems he added: “She is making a very valid point, and I will take that up for her as well.”

A Home Office spokeswoman promised to investigate the incident.