Woman on trial for sneaking lover into UK

A FORMER supporter of France’s anti-immigration National Front went on trial yesterday for helping her Iranian refugee lover sneak across to Britain.

Beatrice Huret faces up to 10 years in jail if convicted of helping Mokhtar – whom she met last year while volunteering at the since-demolished “Jungle” migrant camp in Calais – slip out of France under cover of night, on a rickety boat.

The 44-year-old is one of several people around France who have been charged with illegally assisting migrants in recent months. While none have been imprisoned, a farmer was recently fined.

Arriving at the courthouse in the town of Boulogne-sur-Mer, near Calais, she said she hoped the trial would help others “understand what I did and why I did it” and said she took full responsibility for her actions.

“I am prepared to give up my life for him. The only thing that would bother me is that I would no longer be able to see Mokhtar if I’m in jail,” Huret said.

Her lawyer said she would ask the court to dismiss the case, insisting her client acted for “humanitarian reasons”.

She is being tried alongside three others accused of helping migrants cross the Channel.

Huret helped Mokhtar acquire a small boat and towed it to a beach from where he and two other Iranians crossed to England on June 11 last year.

Mokhtar, who is living in the northern English city of Sheffield, has since received asylum.