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Post by Admin on Nov 13, 2019 21:10:59 GMT
The names of all 39 Vietnamese nationals who were found dead in a refrigerated lorry in Essex have been released by police. Ten teenagers, including two 15-year-old boys, were among the victims. Their bodies were found in a lorry trailer in an industrial park in Grays on 23 October. Essex coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray said: "May I take this opportunity to offer my deepest condolences to the victims' families." Assistant Chief Constable Tim Smith said: "This was an incredibly important process and our team has been working hard to bring answers to worried families who fear their loved one may be among those whose tragic journey ended on our shores. "Our priority has been to identify the victims, to preserve the dignity of those who have died and to support the victims' friends and families." Pham Thi Tra My, 26, sent her family a message on the night of 22 October - the day before the 39 people were found dead - saying she could not breathe and her "trip to a foreign land has failed". Le Minh Tuan, the father of 30-year-old Le Van Ha, who comes from an agricultural part of Vietnam, previously told the BBC he was convinced his son was among the dead.
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Post by Admin on Nov 25, 2019 18:51:13 GMT
A lorry driver who is accused over the deaths of 39 migrants in Essex has admitted plotting to assist illegal immigration. Maurice Robinson pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey to conspiring with others to assist illegal immigration between 1 May 2018 and 24 October 2019. The 25-year-old, from County Armagh, is accused of being part of a larger plot to bring people into the UK illegally. Mr Robinson was not asked to plead to 39 charges of manslaughter. The charges relate to the deaths of 39 Vietnamese people, including children, who were discovered in the back of a refrigerated lorry being driven by Mr Robinson in Grays on 23 October. Mr Robinson, who appeared via video-link from Belmarsh prison, also admitted acquiring criminal property - namely cash - between 1 May 2018 and 24 October 2019. As well as the manslaughter charges, Mr Robinson is accused of conspiracy to commit human trafficking offences and transferring criminal property. The defendant, of Laurel Drive, Craigavon, was remanded into custody until a further hearing on 13 December.
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