People smuggling trial to begin
The trial of two lorry drivers accused of people smuggling in relation to an incident at Tilbury Docks last year is expected to start today.
Stephen McLaughlin, 34, of Limavady, Londonderry, Northern Ireland, and Timothy Murphy, 33, of Elmgrove, Londonderry, face trial at Basildon Crown Court in Essex for allegedly conspiring to facilitate illegal entry into the UK of 35 Afghan nationals.
Afghan immigrant Meet Singh Kapoor, 40, was found in a shipping container at the docks in Essex on August 16. He was among a group of 35 immigrants found in the container, including 13 children, the rest of whom survived the ordeal.
The trial relates to an incident at Tilbury Docks in south east London
The group, whose ages ranged from one to 72, are believed to have fled Afghanistan after suffering persecution.
