Van driver ‘in shock’ as migrants rescued from hidden space on ferry – trial

The father-of-two told Lewes Crown Court on Thursday it was the ‘most difficult day of his life’ as he denied the smuggling charge.

The scene at Newhaven ferry port after migrants have been found in the back of a lorry at port in East Sussex amid a large emergency services presence (PA) (PA Archive)

A van driver accused of smuggling migrants in a hidden compartment has denied knowing they were in the vehicle and was “shocked” and “completely numb” at the discovery, a court has heard.

Seven people were rescued from the space “the width of a human chest” as they travelled on board a ferry to the UK after crew heard them banging and screaming for help.

Anas Al Mustafa, 43, is on trial accused of smuggling them into the UK inside a specially adapted van between Dieppe, in France, and Newhaven, in East Sussex, on February 16.

Jurors had heard how the crew on the Seven Sisters ship heard pleas from inside a van on deck and used an axe to break down the fake partition inside hiding the people to get them out.

The father-of-two told Lewes Crown Court on Thursday it was the “most difficult day of his life”.

Speaking through an Arabic interpreter, he said: “I was in a situation where the shock was too massive I was almost out of consciousness.

“I remember only certain scenes of what was going on, I saw a person throwing up, I saw them when they were getting the people inside to outside, it was a shock to me.

“I didn’t know what to do, I can’t even feel my limbs.”

The court previously had heard how Al Mustafa, who is originally from Syria but moved to the UK in 2011, was introduced to a man called Badr last time he was in Syria in January who said he needed him to do a job for him driving a van.

The prosecution previously said in a police interview with no interpreter Al Mustafa said he was paid £500 on a previous occasion to drive the van to get an MoT in Liverpool but for the February job he was being paid £5,000 to drive the van to the UK.

Jurors heard that Al Mustafa told police he did not know there were people in the van but because he was being paid £5,000 he thought “maybe this time there is people inside”.

Asked about the interview on Thursday, Al Mustafa told jurors the £5,000 sum was incorrect and he meant £500.

He also said did not remember telling police he thought maybe people were in the van and did not know why he said that.

He was offered an interpreter for the police interview but because he was told there was not one available now he said he would try in English.

“My problem is not what we spoke in there (interview) I didn’t understand, when it was being read here I noticed there are things I can’t remember I said and what I said is not correct even,” he explained.

Asked in court if he knew there were illegal immigrants in the van, the self-employed builder said: “No, only after it was discovered.

“I don’t need to do that kind of job.

“I have my business, I have my company, I have my accounts, and I have proof of accounts for 13 years, why would I do something that is illegal?”

Al Mustafa said that he flew to Amsterdam for a holiday after laser eye surgery and met Badr at the airport.

He added when he was looking to book his ticket back to the UK he said Badr suggested he drive the same van he previously drove for the MoT to take it back to the garage as there was a fault with the gearbox.

He told the court: “I asked him how much would you pay me, I say it like a joke, he said just like the last time whatever expenditure you spend I’ll pay you.”

Al Mustafa, of Swansea, denies assisting unlawful immigration to the UK.