Essex lorry deaths: Mechanic claims "burner" phone was for multiple girlfriends
Gheorge Nica admitted arranging onward transport for two successful runs but denied being involved in the tragedy on October 23 last year.
A man facing trial over the deaths of 39 Vietnamese migrants has told a jury he had a "burner" phone for his multiple girlfriends, not people smuggling.
Gheorge Nica, 43, denies any involvement in the deaths of the migrants who were found in Grays, Essex, on 23 October 2019, the Old Bailey has heard.
Nica has admitted being involved in a people smuggling plot but denies 39 counts of manslaughter, along with Eamonn Harrison, 23, of Co Down, who transported the trailer to Zeebrugge port.
Harrison, lorry driver Christopher Kennedy, 24, of Co Armagh, and Calota, 37, of Birmingham, have denied people smuggling.
Jurors have heard that Robinson, 26, of Craigavon in Northern Ireland, and Hughes, 41, of Co Armagh, have admitted the manslaughters.