A prolific criminal described as 'part of the problem' in Chinatown - where drugs are rife - wants to go back to his home country rather than sleep rough... but the Home Office refused to deport him.
A judge was left baffled after being told Sudanese national Abdul Osman's catalogue of offences had been described as 'low level'.
Judge Anthony Cross QC said he found the Home Office's decision not to send Osman back to Sudan 'very difficult to understand'.
Osman has been in the UK since 2005, after arriving as a refugee, Manchester Crown Court heard.
Judge Cross said Osman has been 'part of the problem' in Chinatown in Manchester city centre, where drug dealing has been an issue.
He was previously banned from entering the city centre after being made the subject of a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO).
A jury found Osman guilty of breaching that order after he was found in Chinatown on two separate occasions in November last year.
Osman, who has 'genuine mental health problems', has 22 previous convictions for 32 criminal offences.
These include possessing a weapon in public; criminal damage; assaulting police officers; affray; threatening behaviour; and a sexual offence, the court heard.
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A hearing heard Osman did not meet Home Office criteria for deportation as his crimes were described as 'continuous low level offences'.
Judge Cross said: "I was astonished when someone came to the conclusion that it was low level offending."
He added: "Chinatown has been experiencing a problem with drug dealing and drug use.
"He, sadly, was part of the problem."
Osman, who gave evidence at the hearing, told the judge he wants to go back to Sudan.
Judge Cross said: "I find it very difficult to understand why someone who has expressed the desire to go back to his home country, and not to live rough on the streets of this city centre, could not be supported as much as is humanly possible."
A Home Office immigration officer told the court that to be deported, Osman would have to renounce his status as a refugee.
He may then be sent to his home country under the 'facilitated return scheme', but the court heard this would depend on Sudanese authorities agreeing to have Osman back.
The hearing was told Osman was living rough in the city centre before he was remanded.
He was previously evicted from a hostel and Manchester council refuses to help him, due to his criminal offending, the court heard.
The judge adjourned the sentencing for Osman's CBO breach for two weeks.
Osman was told before then he should fill out a form for the Home Office and write a letter renouncing his refugee status.
