UK - 39 bodies found in lorry, Essex, 23 October 2019

[HayLouise]

We’ve travelled to Vietnam, meeting families who believe their loved ones are among 39 found dead in a refrigerator lorry.

We came to find out why so many left here. And find out what promises were sold to them about a new life in the UK.

Camera & edit by @marctv1 @itvnews

(video)

Peter A Smith on Twitter

 

[HayLouise]

BREAKING: The PM Boris Johnson has arrived in Grays to sign a book of condolence to the 39 people who died in the back of a truck last week.

BBC Essex on Twitter

 

[HayLouise]

28 October 2019

Mo Robinson appears in court over Essex lorry deaths

Essex lorry driver remanded in custody after appearing in court

Mo Robinson appears in court to face 43 charges

Essex lorry deaths: driver is remanded in custody

Driver in court for 'manslaughter & conspiracy to traffic' over migrant deaths

Truck driver appears in court

NI lorry driver sent to Old Bailey charged with manslaughter

Essex migrant deaths: Truck driver remanded in custody

 

[HayLouise]

In court in Court 7 at Chelmsford Magistrates Court for the appearance of Maurice “Mo” Robinson on 39 counts of Manslaughter and trafficking of people

Daniel Sandford on Twitter

Court is underway. District Judge is Timothy King. Maurice Robinson is appearing by video link. He confirms his name and address and says his nationality is British.

Daniel Sandford on Twitter

He is wearing a grey sweatshirt top, and is sitting in a pale green video link room

Daniel Sandford on Twitter

Prosecutor is Iguyovwe Ogheneruona of the CPS, defence solicitor is Julian Hayes.

Daniel Sandford on Twitter

Maurice Robinson is being remanded in custody until his next appearance at the Central Criminal Court (the Old Bailey) on 25th November.

Daniel Sandford on Twitter

Hearing over. It lasted 5 minutes.

Daniel Sandford on Twitter

 

[HayLouise]

PM Boris Johnson, Home Secretary & Witham MP @patel4witham, @Hirst4EssexPFCC Roger Hirst, Chief Constable of @EssexPoliceUK BJ Harrington & CEX of @EastEnglandAmb Deborah Hosein have all come to sign the book of condolence to 39 people found in container in #Grays last week



BBC Essex on Twitter

 

[HayLouise]

We’re waiting for the full indictment to come from the CPS, we know he’s been charged with the manslaughter along with conspiracy to commit human trafficking, money laundering and breaching immigration laws. Just need to know how many.

Ellis Whitehouse on Twitter

Currently in a room of frantic journalists trying to find the exact wording of the indictment - not receiving a lot of help from the court.

Ellis Whitehouse on Twitter

 

[jamjim]

Thank you for the updates as always @HayLouise, you're a star!

 

[HayLouise]

Mo Robinson will remain behind bars until his next court appearance on November 25, bail formally refused, the magistrate finding there were “substantial grounds” he’d leave the country or interfere with the ongoing investigation @9NewsAUS

Sophie Walsh on Twitter

 

[HayLouise]

#Thurrock MP @JackieDP & @thurrockcouncil Leader Rob Gledhill are also here to sign the book of condolence to the 39 victims in #Grays.



BBC Essex on Twitter

 

[HayLouise]

The PM arrives at @thurrockcouncil to sign a book of condolence to the 39 people who lost their lives last week in a container in #Essex

(Video)

Simon Dedman on Twitter

 

[Ched]

Separately, it's been revealed that the Criminal Assets Bureau has been secretly investigating the finances of a cross-border gang suspected of organising the human trafficking operation that led to the deaths of the 39 migrants.
The CAB launched the probe last year after receiving intelligence that the criminal group was amassing significant wealth from various types of smuggling, including people smuggling.
Essex deaths trucker Mo Robinson (25) facing court charged with manslaughter of 39 migrants - BelfastTelegraph.co.uk
The bureau has been profiling the crime group's significant assets, which are thought to include legitimate businesses and properties, according to informed sources.

 

[HayLouise]

.@BorisJohnson message in the book of condolence to 39 people who died in a container in #Essex



Simon Dedman on Twitter

PM Boris Johnson writes “The whole nation and indeed the world which has been shocked by this tragedy” in the condolence book for the 39 people found dead in a container in #Grays last week.



BBC Essex on Twitter

 

[Ched]

The cab is registered to Irish haulier Ronan Hughes, who also leased the trailer where the bodies were found.
Irishman expected to be handed over to UK authorities in coming days

 

[Fidobell]

The family of a potential victim have said they paid £30.000 ( think this correct amount ) earning only £400 / month this seems a vast amount to save . How does this work , do they get loaned the money from smuggling rings and pay back on ce working here ?

 

[dixiegirl1035]

Yes, they have transferred it to London, I just Googled and that is where the Old Bailey is.

10:41am

As I say, this is likely to be very procedural. A lesson in the English law system, really.

No matter how serious the case, it always begins in a magistrates' court, before moving on to a crown court.

10:42am

The interesting one here will be which crown court it eventually moves to. Given the attention focussed on it, it may end up at the Central Criminal Court in London.

Live updates as Mo Robinson appears in court this morning

 

[Sarahlou]

The family of a potential victim have said they paid £30.000 ( think this correct amount ) earning only £400 / month this seems a vast amount to save . How does this work , do they get loaned the money from smuggling rings and pay back on ce working here ?

Yes often they owe the money and have to work here to pay it off

 

[HayLouise]

Court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook of lorry driver Maurice Robinson, 25, on video-link at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court, Essex, where he has been remanded in custody after being charged with the manslaughter of 39 people found dead in a refrigerated container in Essex.



Hannah Spratt on Twitter

 

[HayLouise]

So, finally, here we are:

39 manslaughter, one conspiracy to human traffic, one conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration, one possession of criminal property and one disguising criminal property, namely cash for the last two.

All between December 18 and October this year.

Ellis Whitehouse on Twitter

 

[HayLouise]

The wording was extremely confusing but that should clear things up. Robinson back at court in a month’s time.

Ellis Whitehouse on Twitter

 

[HayLouise]

Update: Monday 28 October 12:00

A man charged in connection with our investigation into the deaths of 39 people whose bodies were found in Grays last week has appeared in court.

Maurice Robinson, 25, of Laurel Drive, Craigavon, Northern Ireland, appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court via video link charged with 39 counts of manslaughter, conspiracy to traffic people, conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration, and money laundering.

He has been remanded in custody and is next due to appear at the Old Bailey on 25 November.

Murder investigation launched after 39 people found dead in lorry container | Essex Police