A COUPLE are celebrating after winning a five-year battle with the Government to stay together.

Retired racehorse trainer Pat Barker, from Hunton, near Leyburn, met Brazilian-born Giovani Dos Santos in 2006 at the Dubai Racing Carnival.

Despite a 30-year age difference, friendship turned to romance and Mr Dos Santos decided to move to North Yorkshire from Ireland where he was working.

In 2007, Mr Dos Santos, a skilled racehorse rider, applied for a UK work permit, but the application was refused.

The problem was traced to a misunderstanding when Mr Dos Santos originally travelled to Ireland. At the time, the 38-year-old was unable to explain properly that he was bound for Ireland and was detained at Heathrow Airport until the matter was resolved.

The couple spent £10,000 challenging the Border Agency decision, however it was only when they complained to the Home Secretary via their MP, William Hague that Mr Dos Santos was told he could re-enter the UK.

In December last year Mr Dos Santos applied for leave to remain in the UK as an unmarried partner, however the couple received a fresh blow when the visa was refused and Mr Dos Santos was told to leave the country immediately.

One of the reasons for the refusal was that the English certificate he had achieved was not valid as the school had now closed.

Mrs Barker said: ”We were stunned and had to appeal or he would be deported. This was Thursday and had to lodge appeal by Monday.

“I only told one person and soon all the village knew. Tony Jackson at the Countryman Pub set up a petition which over 100 people signed. We had letters and support from the parish, district, and county councillors. It was amazing.”

At the appeal hearing the judge suggested they make a fresh application after retaking the English test/. Taking the advice, Mr Dos Santos retook the exam, passing with a distinction.

Finally last month he was given a fresh visa allowing him to stay in the country for two-and-a-half more years.

Mrs Barker said: “We both cried, it felt like we had been living in a pressure cooker and it was now off. Although they are always changing the rules and we are still worried that we have not heard the last of it all.”

The couple were give advice and support by renowned racehorse trainer Mark Johnston who employs Mr Dos Santos at his Middleham yard.