UK immigration staff on trial over migrant theft
Five UK immigration officers appeared in court on Thursday charged with misconduct in public office and conspiracy to steal from migrants who arrived in the country on small boats.
John Bernthal, 53, Ben Edwardes, 45, Lee-Ann Evanson, 42, Besmir Matera, 36, and Jack Mitchell, 33, are accused of stealing money from migrants between August 2021 and November 2022.
All five defendants also face one count of misconduct in public office and one count of money laundering. Prosecutor Rosalind Earis told Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London that the group worked on the UK’s south coast dealing with recent arrivals crossing the English Channel in small boats.
In recent years, crossings from France in small boats have become one of the most visible symbols of irregular migration to the UK and a major political issue influencing voters. Earis told the court that “many of these people arrive with relatively large sums of cash on their person. When the defendants discovered this, they worked together to take that money for themselves and share it among them.”
Besmir Matera is also charged with entering or remaining in the UK by deception and possessing three identity documents in a false name, including a UK passport and full and provisional driving licences.
According to the prosecution, Matera applied for asylum in 2003 claiming he was from Kosovo and had entered the UK in the back of a lorry. However, Earis said he was actually from Albania and had come to Britain as part of a school trip.
A sixth defendant, 43-year-old David Grundy, is charged only with one count of money laundering.
All six defendants were granted bail ahead of their next hearing at Southwark Crown Court in February. None of them were asked to enter pleas at this stage.
