Joshua Bynoe, 29, had attempted to smuggle five Afghan migrants, including a five-year-old child, to the UK
A Walthamstow man who attempted to smuggle five Afghan migrants, including a five-year-old child, has been sentenced to three years in jail.
Joshua Bynoe, 29, of Corbett Road, was sentenced last Friday (6th September) following a trial at Canterbury Crown Court that found him guilty of people smuggling offences.
The court heard how on Monday 24th January 2019, Border Force officers conducted a search of a motorhome, driven by Bynoe, bound for the UK in Coquelles, France.
Upon searching the cabin, officers discovered five Afghan nationals, including a five-year-old child, concealed inside storage benches, in cramped claustrophobic conditions.
Bynoe was arrested at the scene and taken into custody by Border Force staff and Kent Police.
The court heard how Bynoe had links to a criminal smuggling gang and had concocted a scheme to smuggle the migrants in the storage compartments from Europe into the UK.
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Speaking on Friday, Steve Blackwell who heads South East England criminal and financial investigations at the Home Office said: “Today’s sentencing shows that perpetrators of immigration crimes will be dealt with and prosecuted regardless of where they are located.
“Bynoe recklessly put the lives of five people, including a child, in danger by cramming them into a vehicle for hours. His only concern was making money, working with a smuggling gang with no thought for the vulnerable people they were exploiting. He was stopped in his tracks and will now face justice for his criminal actions.
“I’d like to thank my investigation team, particularly the OIC – Stacey Crockford, for their hard work on this case. We will continue to pursue people smugglers who try to undermine our border security and put lives at risk for profit.”
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