A convicted drug dealer claims that being deported would damage his career as a poet. Cocaine dealer Evan Holmes, who has 13 convictions for 22 offences, has argued that being sent back to Jamaica would make it impossible for him to find work.
Holmes, who has six children with three different women, claimed he could not work in Jamaica as his qualifications were obtained in the UK and insisted his human rights would be breached if he was forced to leave. He was reportedly given Legal Aid to push his case, however despite clocking five additional years in Britain since the Home Office first signalled its intent to deport the criminal, his appeal was eventually thrown out.
Holmes claimed being sent back to Jamaica would make it impossible for him to find work as poet (Image: TikTok @evan_thepoet)
Immigration judge Christopher Hanson said: “There is a Jamaican poetry archive in the National library of Jamaica, a Poetry Society of Jamaica, and World Poetry Day, Jamaica 2024 is available online provided by the National Library of Jamaica, dated 22 March 2024. There are also annual Jamaican poetry festivals.
“The appellant is clearly familiar with social media and the internet which will give him an outlet for his work, if required. I do not find any merit in the Appellant’s claim that he could not find work or that he will be destitute if he was returned.”
The father of six first arrived in the UK in 2001 on a 10-day tourist visa and was later granted leave to remain after his initial asylum claim was rejected.
Writing under the Tappis the Poet Holmes who had been locked up in Bristol for 26-months for dealing heroin, possessing cannabis and possessing a prohibited weapon has amassed over 25,000 likes on TikTok.
The father of six has amassed over 25k likes on TikTok (Image: TikTok @even_thepoet)
On his website Holmes says he “moved for better opportunities in Bristol, UK a place with the contrast of both a dark Transatlantic slavery history and a vibrant Jamaican community, a very interesting irony”.
He now hosts “poetry workshops at the University of Bristol and is currently doing a degree course in English Literature and Community Engagement with this institution”. Adding that “it is incredibly rewarding engaging with communities, individuals and personalities using the power of spoken word to capture the fabric of society, and educating tomorrow’s generation”.
He was served with deportation papers in 2020 but claimed his past gang connections in Jamaica put him at risk. However, the tribunal found no evidence to support this and ruled that he could return safely. He was also convicted in 2022 of driving under the influence of drugs and possessing cannabis.
