A MUGGER robbed a man at knifepoint because it was the only way he could get a free ticket OUT of Britain and back to his war-torn homeland, a court heard.
Kasiba Misigaro, 21, had repeatedly begged our immigration services to cart him back to Burundi, central Africa, because he was convinced he would find a better life there.
Over the past five years he has been convicted of a staggering 21 offences ? but still immigration staff refused to put him on a flight home.
Finally Misigaro targeted victim Isce Akanbi, 40, last December after spotting him in West Ham tube station, East London, on his way to meet friends for a football game.
James Lofthouse, prosecuting, told Inner London Crown Court: "The victim looked down and saw a silver knife.
"Scared of what he would do, he gave him two mobile phones and his wallet."
But Misigaro DROPPED the stolen items, along with his weapon, so police could arrest him at the scene.
He told them: "I only did it because I wanted to go home. I don't want to be here."
Mr Lofthouse added: "He was on benefits, hates being in the UK, has no interest in working or integrating, has no money, and would commit further offences if he remained here.
"He said he had already approached the immigration services about going to Burundi but they didn't seem particularly interested in assisting."
Burundi is one of the ten poorest countries in the world, with the lowest GDP per capita on the planet. It is ridden with civil wars, corruption, poor education and AIDS.
Misgaro was told by the judge that he WILL now be deported at the end of his three year jail sentence for the robbery.
