A lorry driver accused over the deaths of 39 migrants has pleaded guilty to plotting to assist illegal immigration.
Maurice Robinson, 25, who was allegedly part of a global smuggling ring, is also charged with the manslaughter of a group of men, women and children found dead in a refrigerated trailer.
He was arrested shortly after the bodies of eight females and 31 males were discovered in the container attached to his Scania cab in an industrial park in Grays, Essex, early on October 23.
Robinson, who is known as Mo, appeared at the Old Bailey via video link from Belmarsh prison for a plea hearing. He faces 39 counts of manslaughter, a count of conspiracy to traffic people, and one charge of concealing criminal property.
Today he admitted acquiring criminal property and conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration, but entered no pleas to the other counts. He will appear in court again next month.
Maurice Robinson, 25, who is accused over the deaths of 39 migrants, has pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey to plotting to assist illegal immigration
Robinson (pictured when he appeared via video link in October) was at the Old Bailey via video link from Belmarsh prison
Wearing a light blue sweater and tan trousers, he spoke to confirm his identity and British nationality.
During the hearing before Mr Justice Edis, he admitted conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration between May 1 2018 and October 24 2019.
The charge states that he plotted with others to do ‘an act or series of acts which facilitated the commission of a breach of immigration law by various persons’.
He also admitted acquiring criminal property – namely cash – on the same dates.
The victims were later identified as coming from various provinces of Vietnam, with the youngest being two boys aged 15.
The bodies of eight females and 31 males were discovered in the trailer attached to his Scania cab in an industrial park in Grays, Essex, early on October 23
The victims included (top row, left to right) Pham Tra My, 26, Anna Bui Thi Nhung, 19, Nguyen Huy Hung, 15, and (middle row, left to right) Nguyen Dinh Lurong, 20, Vo Ngoc Nam, 28, Hoang Van Tiep, 18, and (bottom row, left to right) Nguyen Dinh Tu, 26, Nguyen van Hung, 33, and Le Van Ha, 30
Bill Emlyn Jones, prosecuting said: ‘My understanding is that the defendant is ready to be arraigned on two of the 43 counts on the indictment.
‘The Crown at this stage would not push further arraignment on the other counts. This investigation is likely to span different jurisdictions.
Mr Justice Edis said: ‘This is quite a significant investigation likely to involve investigations into other people.’
A trial date is yet to set.
Robinson, of Craigavon, Northern Ireland, was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing at the Old Bailey on 13 December.
