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Old October 15th, 2016 #1
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Post People smugglers & 14 Albanians caught

TWO people-smugglers were caught after they ran out of fuel outside a harbour with 14 Albanian illegal immigrants on board.

Jonathan Bridgeman and Deshan Laci stood to earn £10,000 each for taking the group of strangers, including a 14-year-old boy, from Dieppe to Eastbourne.

But they failed to realise how much fuel would be needed for the journey with such a big weight, and the boat had to be towed into the harbour, where Laci ran off and the others were arrested.

Yesterday Bridgeman, 42, of Toll Gate, Burgess Hill, and Laci, 35, of Ridge Langley, Croydon, south London, were jailed for 30 and 36 months respectively, after each pleaded guilty to one count of assisting unlawful immigration.

Sentencing, Recorder Adrian Chaplin said the men were motivated by the prospect of financial reward.

Prosecuting, Oliver Doherty described how the harbour master at Eastbourne's Sovereign harbour was alerted to the Sea Paz floundering in the water on November 15, 2014.

He added: "Offers were made to assist but they were initially turned down. Then concerns were raised about how it appeared. Simply put, it was lying very low in the water.

"Bridgeman and Laci were described as looking very worried at this point. It became apparent that the reason it was lying so low was there were 14 men effectively hidden down below on the boat."

Lewes Crown Court heard the arrangements to transport the men were made in the town square in Dieppe, northern France.

The Albanians told investigators they were due to pay £6,000 each for passage to the UK, although the court heard the two convicted men were due to earn £10,000 each.

Defending Mr Bridgeman, Jordan Franks said the convicted men were effectively working for two other Albanian men who had first approached him on the pretence of being interested in buying his boat, which he kept at Brighton Marina and was on sale for more than £35,000.

He added: "He became aware however pretty quickly that he was being asked to provide a means to go over from Brighton and bring back these men."

The two alleged masterminds have not yet been arrested or investigated, The Argus understands.

Dave Fairclough, from the Immigration Enforcement team investigating, said yesterday's court hearing was the first he had heard their identities.

Defending Laci, James Scobie said the two individuals had been seen in some of the photographs, adding: "as I understand it certainly one of them has been spoken to by the police".

Laci and Bridgeman, who knew each other as landlord and tenant, both claimed they were motivated in part by altruism, with Laci himself a refugee.

Of the group of 14 Albanians, 12 have been sent back, the child has been sent to foster care, and one man's application to stay on grounds he has family here is being assessed.

our Human Rights Act was independently passed by our own Parliament back in 1998, with cross-party support. The Act simply incorpora

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read full article at source: http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/14803...anians_aboard/
 
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