Man jailed for attempting to smuggle 17 illegal immigrants into UK

Stephen Jackson has been sentenced to nearly five years in prison for trying to sail 17 Albanian men into Chicester marina

Stephen Jackson admitted to attempting to smuggle the 17 Albanian men into the country via Chicester Marina in May (Geograph.org.uk)

A man has been jailed for nearly five years for attempting to smuggle 17 illegal immigrants into the UK.

Stephen Jackson pleaded guilty at Lewes Crown Court on Friday to attempting to smuggling the migrants at Chicester Marina.

The 51-year-old sailor was sentenced to four year and nine months for assisting unlawful immigration after he was caught "red-handed" sailing a boat-load of Albanian men aged 20-44 into the marina on 23 May.

During the hearing it also emerged a European Arrest Warrant has been issued for Jackson in connection with the disappearance of a Scottish woman in Spain.

Lisa Brown, 32, originally from Alexandria in West Dunbartonshire was last seen in November last year.

He is due to make an initial court appearance in regards to his possible extradition at Westminster Magistrates Court on 11 August.

Sentencing Jackson, Judge Guy Anthony said Jackson had been caught "red-handed" and "there are not many cases where somebody is involved in bringing that many people in one go".

He said the Albanian men were traveling in cramped conditions: "Quite apart from the illegality, they are plainly at risk of their health and safety".

Prosecutor Martha Walsh said the 10-metre long boat he used to smuggle the men in was only suitable for between six and eight passengers.

She said: "On May 23 this year, a boat called Fortunella, which was a catamaran, was seen off the Isle of Wight and it was making its way to Chichester harbour.

"It was initially stopped, however the marine patrol communicated with the vessel and asked the captain to identify himself, and he gave the name Stephen Jackson.

"They ran a check through the police national computer and it said he was wanted on a European Arrest Warrant.

"He was allowed to carry on into Chichester harbour where there are no border controls."

Sussex Police were waiting for Jackson's catamaran when it arrive in the marina and found the 17 men after searching the boat.

Ms Walsh also said there were insufficient life jackets on board despite the operation involving a "significant degree of planning" by Jackson.

"This was a voyage in which those 17 men had their lives in some degree of jeopardy," she added.

None of the men had the right to be in the country and eight were immediately deported.

Jackson was sentenced to 4 years and nine months in prison for the offence at Lewes Crown Court (Google Maps)

The other nine, who had previously attempted to enter the UK illegally, all received jail terms after pleading guilty at Crawley Magistrates' Court to unlawful entry.

One of them had a previous conviction for a sexual offence.

The court heard Jackson, of West Wittering in West Sussex, had originally claimed to have been forced into sailing to the UK by the Albanians after he found them onboard.

He later admitted he had been given the boat in exchange for getting them to the country.

This was a voyage in which those 17 men had their lives in some degree of jeopardy

&#13; <p>Prosecutor Martha Walsh</p>&#13;

In mitigation, Jackson's defence counsel Gregory Fishwick said his client made an immediate confession and described him as a man of "positive good character".

He said: "Mr Jackson appears to be a hard-working, conscientious, honest, trustworthy man who is held in high regard by those who have known him."

The lawyer said Jackson acknowledged he had made a "terrible mistake" and had embarrassed those who knew him.

Mr Fishwick said the details of the European Arrest Warrant were "somewhat sketchy".

Additional reporting by PA