Convictions in cross-channel people smuggling case – Rebecca Austin led William Goss for the Crown
Seven defendants who conspired to smuggle migrants across The Channel, secreted in HGV trailers have been convicted at Isleworth Crown Court.
The conspiracy facilitated the unlawful movement of at least 157 migrants over 8 months in 2023. The Defendants preyed on the desperation of North African migrants to enter Europe illegally, their tourist visas to stay in the United Kingdom having expired. The convictions followed a six-week trial which incorporated evidence focusing heavily on phone pattern analysis and covert surveillance. The Defendants will be sentenced in due course.
Investigated by the National Crime Agency, Rebecca Austin acted as Leading Counsel for the Crown and was instructed by Janine Baugh of the CPS Serious Economic Organised Crime and International Directorate.
