Man tried to smuggle Albanians into Wales
44-YEAR-OLD CLAIMED THE FOUR WERE HITCHHIKERS
TRYING to smuggle four Albanians into Britain landed an Irish driver with an 18-month prison sentence.
Darren Murray admitted charges of facilitating the immigration of the four Albanians through the port of Holyhead on Anglesey on July 2 this year.
Appearing at Caernarfon Crown Court via videolink from prison the 44-year-old, from Dublin, was said to have been driving a Renault Scenic vehicle when he was stopped by Border Force officers at the port.
Elen Owen, prosecuting, said he was seen by the officers driving off a ferry which had arrived from Ireland soon after 5am.
He told officers he was going to Chester to see his sister but inquiries later revealed he was booked to return from Holyhead to Ireland later that day.
While Murray was able to provide officers with identity papers the other four were unable to provide any documents.
“The defendant told the officers he had met the four people when they flagged him down and asked for a lift.
He added he was given 200 euro by them to buy tickets for them.
One of the Albanians, who had no legal right of entry into Britain, told officers he had paid £8,000 to be taken into Britain from Ireland,” the prosecutor told the court.
She added the vehicle had been seen driving through Holyhead on six previous occasions in the preceding months and had always returned to Ireland within 12 hours of arriving.
Murray had initially denied the offence but pleaded guilty when the charges were put to him last Tuesday.
He admitted to being a disqualified driver in Ireland and was not insured to drive the vehicle but he had no previous convictions in Britain.
Simon Killeen, defending, said he accepted a custodial sentence would be imposed.
He said Murray was jobless and in need of money when he agreed to drive the vehicle.
Judge Huw Rees noted offences of this nature are on the increase in North Wales.
Jailing Murray for 18 months he said there was no degree of sophistication to the offence.