Keep up with Armagh i

Man arrested in connection with deaths of 39 Vietnamese nationals in Essex

Maurice Robinson has pleaded guilty to 39 counts of manslaughter

A man was arrested in London on Thursday in connection with a police investigation into the deaths of 39 people found in a lorry container in Grays, Essex in October 2019.

The 42-year-old, from Tottenham, has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to facilitate the entry of non-EU citizens into the UK.

It is connected to Essex Police’s ongoing investigation into the deaths of 39 Vietnamese nationals, who were sadly discovered on October 23, last year.

The lorry was driven by Co.Armagh man Maurice ‘Mo’ Bobin, who last week pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of all 39 victims.

The 25-year-old entered his plea when he appeared before the Old Bailey last Wednesday via videolink.

Four other co-accused facing charges in relation to the same incident also appeared in court last Wednesday.

They included a second Co. Armagh man, Christopher Kennedy, 23, of Corkley Road in Darkley, who denies a charge of conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration.

The others were 43-year-old Gheorghe Nica, from Mimosa Close in the Langdon Hills; Alexandru-Ovidiu Hanga, 27, from Hobart Road in the Tilbury area; and Valentin Calota, 37, from Cossington Road in Birmingham.

Sign Up To Our Newsletter

Most read today

NEWRY – SHOP LOCAL

More in Northern Ireland