'Turn in all stowaways,' advises lawyer
Page 6
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• A lawyer has warned against turning a blind eye to stowaways inside trucks even though hauliers who turn them in are still being fined and having their vehicles impounded.
Ian Rothera of Rothera Dowson says: "Once you know somebody is on board and try to get through customs, you are committing the criminal offence of facilitating their entry to the UK."
The maximum prison sentence for this was increased to 10 years earlier this year.
Rothera's warning was made after a £16,000 fine was imposed on Bradford-based haulier Ray Fry last week even though his driver alerted officials that stowaways were inside his trailer.
Driver Wayne Brown says the vehicle was checked by French customs officials before he caught the ferry from Calais. Immigrants entered the truck on the ferry and he alerted staff. "It would have been better to keep quiet," he says.
Fry, who trades as Rays Transport, only runs one truck. This was impounded until Rothera negotiated its release for a down payment of £8,000. "I will probably quit haulage now," says Fry "I am absolutely gutted."
Since the fines were introduced on 3 April, 61 vehicles have been impounded of which nearly half have subsequently been released.
A government change of heart on hauliers who turn in stowaways is unlikely because dishonest hauliers could then get paid for bringing stowaways into the UK with little fear of prosecution.