AN EX-CON from Albania who machine-gunned a man to death was allowed to supervise children on a school trip to Legoland, the Echo can reveal.

Ardian Rragami is facing deportation to his homeland after previously being kicked out to serve a 15-year jail term for the 1998 murder.

The 45-year-old, who lives in Wickford, left a man riddled with bullets after a row in a bar in city of Shkoder.

He went on the run and tricked his way into the UK by posing as a Kosovan refugee called Ardian Gashi.

He was sent back to Albania in 2009, but served just four years after successfully appealing the length of his jail sentence.

On his release, he moved to Wickford with Chrysoulla Michaels, 46, and their two daughters but he was detained on June 17.

Despite his past, the killer was allowed to help out during a Wickford Junior School trip to Legoland in Windsor in July 2015.

A parent who has children at the school said: “I’m sickened, disgusted and downright disappointed that a school that is supposed to be acting as a safety net for these children has allowed such an unacceptable thing to happen.”

Headteacher Terry Flitman said: “We take the safety of our pupils extremely seriously and have robust safeguarding procedures in place.

“We were unaware of this parent’s history prior to the school trip last year and we always ensure that volunteers are never left unattended with pupils.”

A Home Office spokesman said: “He is liable for deportation based on his overseas convictions.”

Wife wants husband to stay

THE wife of an Albanian immigrant who murdered a man in a bar said he has “served his time” and should be allowed to stay in the UK.

Chrysoulla Michaels, 46, married Ardian Rragami in 2002.

She said: “This has been really upsetting. Ardian has been painted as a benefits scrounger but he wasn’t allowed to work or claim benefits.

“There are other people who are still wanted for their crimes but Ardian has served his time.

“I knew he was not a danger.

My family are all devastated by this.”