A MAN has gone on trial accused of running a fake passport factory.

Akeem Aderonmu, aged 32, of St Martin's Close, Thamesmead, was caught by police after members of the public thought he was trying to trap wild birds, a jury at Inner London Crown Court has heard.

He was wandering around a Southwark park with a cage in his hands. Officers followed him to a nearby flat and found a DIY passport kit including passport photographs, blank Home Office stationery and immigration stamps.

Hundreds of documents, including fake Nigerian passports, were found hidden in suitcases, cupboards, under the bed and on window sills.

Aderonmu's flatmate, Jamnu Salami, aged 30, of Upton Park, East London, is also accused of being involved in the plot and is being tried in his absence.

Patricia Lees, prosecuting, claimed the two were part of a team who either obtained or created blank utility bills, birth certificates, passports, driving licences and payslips.

Gas bills, saved on computer disk were ready for printing on to headed paper as proof of address.

She said the pair got immigration stamps to create false documents, either for their own benefit or for others to use, to allow them to stay in the UK without going through immigration procedures.

She added: "False passports would allow access in or out of the country and could be used to obtain visas, bank accounts and mortgages."

Police Sergeant Ron Prado arrested Aderonmu after approaching him in the park on July 3 last year.

He said when he asked Aderonmu what he was doing with the birds, he said he was "giving them some fresh air."

Aderonmu gave false details when the officer asked for his name and date of birth, to file a RSPCA report.

Sgt Prado accompanied Aderonmu to a nearby flat in Rotherhithe Street, Southwark, where a woman at the flat gave a different name and birth date for him.

The officer found a Nigerian passport in his name, but Aderonmu denied it was his. He found a second passport in the name of Lola Aderonmu but the colour of the pages didn't match.

So Sgt Prado called the Immigration Department, who told him no one called Aderonmu was listed as entering the UK.

Aderonmu and Salami deny conspiracy with unknown others to make false documents.