A month ago I was at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court for the first appearance of Maurice Robinson (due @ Old Bailey today) and there were dozens of the world’s media with me. Today, for the third charged man’s hearing, I’m mostly alone.
Ellis Whitehouse on Twitter
Now set up in the courtroom awaiting
Christopher Kennedy's arrival. Another member of the press has joined me, so I'm no longer alone, hooray!
Ellis Whitehouse on Twitter
Across the way in London, lorry driver Maurice Robinson is due to enter pleas for 41 charges in relation to the deaths
Driver due to enter pleas today after deaths of 39 Vietnamese migrants in lorry
Ellis Whitehouse on Twitter
The magistrates' bench are now in court, dealing with some other matters. I've been told Kennedy won't be the first criminal case up this morning.
Ellis Whitehouse on Twitter
Kennedy is charged with conspiracy to arrange or facilitate the travel of people with a view to exploitation and conspiracy to facilitate the commission of a breach of UK immigration law. A separate prosecutor is coming to the court to manage the case.
Ellis Whitehouse on Twitter
Unlikely to be any more activity for a bit, we have requested a copy of the full list of charges that Kennedy has against him. Will share when we have it.
Ellis Whitehouse on Twitter
BREAKING: Maurice Robinson has admitted plotting to assist illegal immigration.
Ellis Whitehouse on Twitter
More details here, will try to update it as best I can, but Kennedy may well show up soon.
Lorry driver Mo Robinson admits being part of trafficking plot which led to 39 deaths
Ellis Whitehouse on Twitter
It's my understanding the 39 charges of manslaughter were
not put to Robinson during his Old Bailey hearing.
Ellis Whitehouse on Twitter
I've now been given the full charge sheet for Kennedy - it contains two counts.
First is arrange or facilitate travel of another person with a view to exploitation.
Ellis Whitehouse on Twitter
Alleges that between
10/10/2019 and
19/10/2019 at Purfleet in the county of Essex, arranged or facilitated the travel of other persons with a view to him being exploited.
Ellis Whitehouse on Twitter
Second charge is Conspire to do an act to facilitate the commission of a breach of UK immigration law by a non EU person.
Ellis Whitehouse on Twitter
Alleges that between the same dates in Purfleet, conspired together with
two other men to transport immigrants, who were not EU citizens, when he knew they did not have EU citizenship.
Ellis Whitehouse on Twitter