“You have a history involving unlawful use of motor vehicle, serious assaults on police officers, and quite a number of assaults in 2023 … It’s not surprising your visa was cancelled on character grounds,” Judge Barlow said.

Bongomin was released from immigration detention following the November 2023 High Court ruling in NZYQ v Minister for Immigration that found indefinite detention was unlawful.

Bongomin’s breach of visa monitoring was more serious than other cases and would have seen him sentenced to 14 months’ imprisonment or more if he had not pleaded guilty, Judge Barlow said.

“It doesn’t mean you can’t demonstrate to the community during your stay in Australia that you can reform yourself, be of good character and contribute properly to the community in Australia which you are fortunate to be a part of,” Judge Barlow said.

Bongomin was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment to be released immediately after already serving 351 days.