A FORMER boss of Somerset's Racial Equality Council has walked free from court after being found guilty of stealing the identity of a severely autistic man.

Taunton Crown Court heard how David Onamade, 52, used the man's name for more than 20 years.

His true identity remains a mystery and even though the judge hinted his future in this country would be ‘uncertain’ no one from the immigration authorities approached him as he left court.

In his role as chief executive of the Racial Equality Council, which he held from 2003 until the organisation was disbanded in 2012, Onamade met MPs, chief constables and even travelled to Downing Street to meet Tony Blair.

He also claimed to be a prominent human rights lawyer and poet.

It was only when the council was disbanded, and Onamade tried to apply for benefits, that authorities finally realised his deceit.

Forms revealed the National Insurance number used on his application was the same as that of an autistic man living in London.

Despite maintaining he was the 'real' man, Onamade was found guilty of five counts of fraud.

The jury convicted him of three charges of fraudulently trying to claim benefits, and two of possessing documents - a birth certificate and a driving licence - for use in the fraud.

He was handed a nine-month prison sentence, but walked free having served 13 months on remand.

Judge Jeffrey Mercer said: "You have used copies of the birth certificate belonging to another person.

"Your future in this country has to be uncertain but that is not a matter for this court. Your status here is not part of my remit."

Taunton Crown Court heard Onamade's deception began in 1991 when he acquired the birth certificate of the real David Onamade, who lives in London where he is looked after by his mother.

It is not known how Onamade, of Wells, came across the certificate, only that it was bought in Nigeria, it was said.

After his arrest, on October 17 last year, Onamade told police his parents, both Nigerian, had given birth to him in London on December 12, 1961.

He said he grew up in Greenwich before moving to Nigeria with his parents between the ages of three and eight.

He told the investigator: "I am not very clear about dates - my memory is not the best."

The court heard that around the age of 18 he began using the name Stephen Douglas.

He could not say where he went to school but said he had two degrees - a masters in literature and a second degree in creative writing - and that he trained to be a lawyer but did not complete his internship.

When he returned to Britain with his parents they 'moved on' to the USA or Nigeria, but he said he did not go with them and ran away from home.

But the court heard Onamade firmly believed he was the real man and refused to acknowledge anything different.

"I never thought it was anyone else, other than me. It's my birth certificate and my driving licence - I am David Onamade."

He denied withholding any information, as that could be checked.

He also denied being given or buying an identity in Nigeria or England and that he had been living a lie.

He told the court: "It would be easier for me to put my hand up, but that would not be telling the truth."

The court heard other people in Nigeria are also believed to be using the identity, with one or two applying for passports.

Patrick Mason, defending, said: "There may be six David Onamades we know of.

"In many respects he's done nothing wrong. He absolutely, 100% believed he was the person he said he was."