TWO failed asylum seekers dishonestly obtained almost £50,000 in benefits despite earning £120,000 between them.

Rasoul Nabi and Mohammed Sardar, both Iraqi nationals, illegally entered the country in the back of a lorry in 2003.

They failed to claim asylum but were allowed to stay in the UK and given benefits on the provision they did not work.

Despite this, they got national insurance cards and worked at Kanes Food, Evesham.

At Worcester Magistrates Court, District Judge Bruce Morgan said: “Tax was being deducted and on the other hand another computer was paying him tens of thousands of pounds in benefits. It is appalling the two systems cannot add up.”

Nabi, aged 23, of Cheltenham Road, Evesham, admitted using a false document, dishonestly receiving £1,406.88 by failing to notify the asylum service he was working, and fraud.

He also pleade guilty to two charges of dishonestly obtaining £11,984.4 from the asylum support service by claiming he was destitute.

Nabi claimed he feared for his safety and fled Iraq after refusing to join Saddam Hussein’s army. Despite being refused asylum the Government let him stay in the country because it could not guarantee his safety beyond Jordan.

He was given housing and vouchers and issued with a registration card which prohibited him from working. But in June 2004, using a false national insurance card, he started work at Kanes Food and since then has earned £52,523.

Mark Sheward, defending, said: “What he did wrong was work when he should not have done. He simply tried to look after himself.”

Sardar, aged 28, from Birmingham, admitted dishonestly obtaining £35,780.02 from the asylum support service, fraud and dishonestly obtaining accommodation by claiming he was destitute.

Despite having a registration card which said he was prohibited from working, the Department of Work and Pensions issued him with a national insurance card and he started working at Kanes Foods in March 2004, earning nearly £70,000.

Judge Morgan said: “I am presented with a picture of someone whom I am told came to this country for protection and since being here has totally abused the hospitality of the country and shown contempt for her laws.”

Both Nabi and Sardar, who spoke using a Kurdish interpreter, were remanded in custody until Friday, January 2, when they will be sentenced at Worcester Crown Court.