Pregnant mother tried to smuggle in migrants

A pregnant mother-of-four who went on a “booze cruise” to France came back with 12 Vietnamese migrants smuggled in the back of her van, a court heard yesterday.

Katy Bethel was six months pregnant with her youngest daughter when the five women, four men and three under-12s were discovered. The 28-year-old was a front passenger while Aaron Harris was driving. Bethel, of Gillingham, Kent, denied assisting unlawful immigration but was convicted. Harris admitted the same charge prior to her trial and is awaiting sentencing. The pair will be sentenced on September 11.