Warming Cockles
A Chinese gangmaster has been found guilty of the manslaughter of 21 immigrant cocklepickers at Morecambe Bay in 2004.
Lin Liang Ren was handed the guilty verdict at Preston crown court this morning, while two other Chinese nationals were also ruled to have contributed to the drownings in February 2004. Ren, and his girlfriend Zhao Xiao Qing, both from Liverpool, were also found guilty of conspiring to pervert the course of justice by trying to conceal who had sent the cocklers out to drown.
Both, as well as Ren's cousin Lin Mu Yong, also from Liverpool, were also found guilty of immigration offences by contributing towards illegal immigrants being put to work.
Speaking after today's unanimous verdicts from the jury, Dun Burr of the crown prosecution service said he hoped it would send a message to those employers who risked their employees' lives. 'The victims died because their lives were considered less important than the pursuit of profit,' he said. 'This prosecution had two aims. To secure justice for those who died and to secure justice for the way they were exploited while they were alive. 'Today’s convictions send out a powerful warning that we will aggressively pursue anyone who tries to recruit workers illegally into this country and put them to work with no regard for their safety or welfare.'
David Eden Sr, from Irby, Merseyside, and his son David Eden Jr, from Prenton, Merseyside, who bought the cockles from the gang were cleared of facilitation offences.
Lin Liang Ren was handed the guilty verdict at Preston crown court this morning, while two other Chinese nationals were also ruled to have contributed to the drownings in February 2004. Ren, and his girlfriend Zhao Xiao Qing, both from Liverpool, were also found guilty of conspiring to pervert the course of justice by trying to conceal who had sent the cocklers out to drown.
Both, as well as Ren's cousin Lin Mu Yong, also from Liverpool, were also found guilty of immigration offences by contributing towards illegal immigrants being put to work.
Speaking after today's unanimous verdicts from the jury, Dun Burr of the crown prosecution service said he hoped it would send a message to those employers who risked their employees' lives. 'The victims died because their lives were considered less important than the pursuit of profit,' he said. 'This prosecution had two aims. To secure justice for those who died and to secure justice for the way they were exploited while they were alive. 'Today’s convictions send out a powerful warning that we will aggressively pursue anyone who tries to recruit workers illegally into this country and put them to work with no regard for their safety or welfare.'
David Eden Sr, from Irby, Merseyside, and his son David Eden Jr, from Prenton, Merseyside, who bought the cockles from the gang were cleared of facilitation offences.
posted by Many at 00:46
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