A WOULD-be asylum seeker swam 16 miles (26km) to Jersey from France and tried to prove he was British by quoting William Shakespeare.
The man — who has been jailed for 15 months — was found washed-up on a beach on the island last September.
He claimed to be a 35-year-old Londoner called David Law and reflected on a 13-hour swim from France.
He told cops he was born in the capital but was taken by his parents to India, Bangladesh and Myanmar.
Prosecutor Lauren Taylor told Jersey’s Royal Court there was a risk of the Channel island being seen as a back door into the UK.
And the judge agreed, saying his jail time should be a deterrent to others.
Jersey Customs and Immigration Service said: “This was a highly unusual case which has required detailed work over many months, from officers within the JCIS.
“Despite extensive investigations, the true identity of the individual is still unknown.
“Inquiries continue to be made to identify his identity and nationality.”
The distance from France to Jersey is around 16 miles.
The crossing from Calais to Dover is roughly 26 miles.
