Covid halts deaths trial

THE trial of an alleged people-smuggling ring linked to the deaths of 39 migrants in a lorry container has stalled over a missing Covid test.

The Old Bailey trial was halted on Monday after the first witness became ill while giving evidence.

Gheorghe Nica, 43, of Basildon, Essex, and Eamonn Harrison, 23, of Mayobridge, County Down, deny manslaughter.