Sailor jailed for smuggling Albanians into Britain wanted in connection with Scot Lisa Brown's disappearance
A British sailor has been jailed for four years and nine months for smuggling 17 immigrants into a south coast marina - as it emerged he is wanted in connection with a murder in Spain.
A British sailor has been jailed for four years and nine months for smuggling 17 immigrants into a south coast marina - as it emerged he is wanted in connection with a murder in Spain.
Stephen Jackson, 51, was sentenced on Friday after pleading guilty to assisting unlawful immigration by sailing a boat-load of Albanian men aged 20 to 44 into Chichester Marina in West Sussex on May 23.
At Lewes Crown Court, it was revealed that a European Arrest Warrant has been issued for Jackson for allegedly perverting the course of justice in connection with a murder in Spain.
The case reportedly relates to the disappearance of 32-year-old Scot Lisa Brown, originally from Alexandria in West Dunbartonshire, who was last seen in November last year.
Sentencing Jackson, Judge Guy Anthony said he had been “caught red-handed”.
Dressed in a dark suit and tie, Jackson stared blankly ahead as he was sentenced.
He acknowledged a woman sitting behind him in the public gallery before he was jailed.
The judge said: “The scale of illegal immigration is something that has attracted a lot of publicity but there are not many cases where somebody is involved in bringing in that many people in one go.”
Judge Anthony said the Albanians were transported in cramped conditions, adding: “Quite apart from the illegality, they are plainly at risk of their health and safety.”
Prosecutor Martha Walsh gave few details about Jackson's European Arrest Warrant but said the 10-metre long boat he used in the smuggling bid was suitable to carry only 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.”
As his vessel arrived at the marina, police were waiting for Jackson and a search of the catamaran uncovered the 17 Albanian men on board.
Ms Walsh said there were insufficient life jackets on the boat, and none of the men had permission to enter Britain. Eight were immediately deported.
The other nine, who had previously made bids to enter the UK, including one who had a conviction for a sex offence, received jail terms after pleading guilty at Crawley Magistrates' Court to unlawful entry. Only one has sought to claim asylum.
Ms Walsh said that when Jackson, of West Wittering, West Sussex, was interviewed by investigators, he said he had sailed from Cherbourg the previous day.
He claimed he felt forced into sailing the Albanians into Britain after discovering them on board the boat. He refused to comment when asked if he had been paid.
In a later interview, he disclosed that he had been given the boat in exchange for smuggling the men into the UK
Ms Walsh said the operation involved a “significant degree of planning” by Jackson, who was described as an experienced sailor who had a boat in Lanzarote.
“This was a voyage in which those 17 men had their lives in some degree of jeopardy,” she added.
Ms Walsh said Jackson faces a hearing in connection with the European Arrest Warrant at Westminster Magistrates' Court on August 11.
In mitigation, Sedgefield-born 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.”
He 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”.