Lorry driver accused over deaths of 39 Vietnamese migrants in container pleads guilty to assisting illegal immigration
- Maurice Robinson, 25, has pleaded guilty to plotting to assist illegal immigration
- Robinson, also known as Mo, was allegedly part of a global smuggling ring
- He is charged with the manslaughter of a group of men, women and children found dead in a refrigerated trailer
A lorry driver accused over the deaths of 39 migrants has pleaded guilty to plotting to assist illegal immigration.
Maurice Robinson, 25, who was allegedly part of a global smuggling ring, is charged with the manslaughter of a group of men, women and children found dead in a refrigerated trailer.
The bodies of eight females and 31 males were discovered in the trailer attached to his Scania cab in an industrial park in Grays, Essex, early on October 23.
The victims were later identified as coming from various provinces of Vietnam, with the youngest being two boys aged 15.
Robinson, who is known as Mo, appeared at the Old Bailey via video link from Belmarsh prison for a plea hearing.
Maurice Robinson, 25, who is accused over the deaths of 39 migrants, has pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey to plotting to assist illegal immigration
The bodies of eight females and 31 males were discovered in the trailer attached to his Scania cab in an industrial park in Grays, Essex, early on October 23
Wearing a light blue sweater and tan trousers, he spoke to confirm his identity and British nationality.
During the hearing before Mr Justice Edis, he admitted conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration between May 1 2018 and October 24 2019.
The charge states that he plotted with others to do “an act or series of acts which facilitated the commission of a breach of immigration law by various persons”.
He also admitted acquiring criminal property – namely cash – on the same dates.
More follows.