Four Irishmen Among Gang Jailed Over Essex Truck Deaths
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Four Irishmen are among a gang of people smugglers jailed in the UK over the deaths 39 people found dead in the back of a truck 2019.
The victims died when they ran out of air in a sealed container as it was being shipped from Belgium to Purfleet docks in Essex, in October 2019.
Temperature’s in the trailer would have reached 38.5C during the voyage.
A total of seven people were jailed for their parts in the deaths this afternoon. Ronan Hughes is seen in this undated photo. Picture by: Essex Police
TODAY, seven men have been sentenced to a total of more than 92 years in prison following our investigation into the tragic deaths of 39 Vietnamese nationals in October 2019.
The men appeared at the Old Bailey in front of his Hon. Mr Justice Sweeney earlier today, Friday 22 January, and have received a total of 92 years and 10 months imprisonment between them.
The men had worked together to smuggle people illegally into the UK, with some receiving astonishingly high payment for their services, across three dates in October 2019.
Chief Constable of Essex Police, Ben-Julian Harrington, acknowledged that the result upheld the promise he had made to the families more than a year ago.
UK Lorry Deaths: 7 Men Jailed for Over 93 Years in Total
Seven men involved in the deaths of 39 Vietnamese migrants were sentenced on Friday by a UK court to a total of 93 years and eight months in prison.
The smugglers have been found guilty of manslaughter of 39 Vietnamese men, women, and children who suffocated to death in the back of a refrigerated truck as they tried to make their way to Britain on Oct. 23, 2019.
Maurice Robinson, 26, pleaded guilty to 39 counts of manslaughter, conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration, and acquiring criminal property before the trial. He was sentenced on Friday to 13 years and four months.
I CAN T BREATHE
Heartbreaking final moments of 39 migrants crying for help & gasping for air before they died in lorry played to court
Updated: 7 Jan 2021, 14:30
THE heartbreaking final moments of 39 migrants crying for help and gasping for air before they died in a lorry were played in court today.
Drivers Eamonn Harrison, 23, and Maurice Robinson, 26, together with Romanian fixer Gheorghe Nica, 43, were paid by kingpin Ronan Hughes, 40, to ferry non-EU citizens into the UK.
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The lorry was found with 39 bodies in after the victims were smuggled into the UKCredit: PA:Press Association
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Ronan Hughes, left, and Gheorge Nica, right, at Hotel Ibis following a people smuggling run on October 19 last year
Maurice Mo Robinson, 26, was part of a million-pound people-smuggling ring
Gang brought people into Britain in back of lorries - earning him £100,000
In October 2019, Robinson opened back of his refrigerated trailer in Grays, Essex
Was met with a gush of steam and the 39 bodies of people who died on journey
Robinson admitted 39 counts of manslaughter and is now facing sentencing
Robinson called Ronan Hughes - the gang s ringleader - when he found bodies
The final moments of the victims were played at the Old Bailey on Thursday