UK truck deaths: British driver pleads guilty to two offences after tragedy that killed 39 Vietnamese migrants
- Maurice Robinson, 25, pleaded guilty to plotting to assist unlawful immigration and to acquiring criminal property
- The discovery of the bodies has shone a spotlight on the illicit human smuggling trade that requires people to make perilous journeys to Europe
Appearing in court by video link from Belmarsh Prison in east London, Maurice Robinson, 25, from Northern Ireland, was not asked to enter a plea to 41 other charges, including 39 counts of manslaughter.
No trial date was set and Robinson is next due in court on December 13.
Grieving Vietnamese struggle to cover cost of bringing victims’ bodies home
The victims, 31 men and boys and eight women, were found on October 23 on an industrial estate in Grays, Essex, not far from docks on the River Thames. The oldest of the victims was 44 while three were aged under 18, including two 15-year-old boys.
Prosecutor William Emlyn Jones told Monday’s hearing at London’s Old Bailey criminal court that it was likely to be a large and complex case.
Robinson admitted to having conspired with others between May 1, 2018 and October 24 this year to commit an offence of assisting unlawful immigration as well as acquiring cash which he knew or suspected came from criminal conduct.
Hanoi orders probe as majority of Essex truck death victims likely from Vietnam
Another man from Northern Ireland was charged on Sunday with helping to bring the 39 people to Britain illegally. The 23-year-old was due to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court in Essex on Monday.
Police in Vietnam have arrested 10 people there in connection with the deaths.
