Yana Shapiro, 38, formerly of Back of the Walls, Southampton, pleaded guilty at Southampton Crown Court to making an untrue statement for the purpose of obtaining a passport and possessing another person’s identity document without reasonable excuse.
Shapiro appeared before the court via video link from HMP Bronzefield on Friday, speaking only to confirm her guilty pleas.
The court heard she had originally faced a number of allegations, including fraud by false representation and possessing identity documents with intent. The charges related to a single claimant.
However, prosecutors accepted her guilty pleas to the two offences, which date back to 2024, and the case will now proceed to sentencing on that basis.
Michael Attenborough, mitigating, said his client’s mental health was closely linked to her offending.
He asked the court to consider a conditional discharge or community order rather than imposing an immediate custodial sentence.
Mr Attenborough added that Shapiro had made a number of applications for leave to remain in the UK and recently spoke with a Home Office official while in prison.
He told the court there was an outstanding appeal against the refusal of an asylum claim.
“The position is that there is an outstanding appeal against a refusal of asylum,” he said.
The court also heard Shapiro, who has Russian and Israeli nationality, describe herself as stateless to the Home Office official.
Judge William Mousley said he was not prepared to sentence immediately and ordered the preparation of a pre-sentence report.
Such reports are prepared by the probation service to help judges determine the most appropriate sentence and are often requested where a community-based disposal may be under consideration.
Adjourning the case, Judge Mousley said: “I am not prepared to sentence today, and I think there should be a probation report.”
Shapiro was remanded in custody and will return to Southampton Crown Court for sentencing on November 9.