Eleven children found 'hidden in sparkling water load' on refrigerated lorry in Newhaven

A file image of a Border Force officer, as 21 people were found on a lorry entering the UK in east Sussex
Matt Cardy/Getty Images
James Morris7 November 2018

Eleven children have been found on a refrigerated lorry entering the UK.

In total, 21 people were found after Border Force officers intercepted the lorry. It had arrived at Newhaven Port, east Sussex, on a ferry from Dieppe, France.

They had been concealed within a load of sparkling water, the Home Office said. A man has been charged with assisting unlawful entry into the UK.

The people were believed to be from Vietnam, and were found on November 1.

The 11 children were passed into the care of social services.

The remaining 10 adults – five women and five men – were interviewed by immigration officials.

The Home Office said two, an 18-year-old man and a woman aged 27, have since been removed from the UK.

The remaining eight, aged between 21 and 28, must now report regularly to the Home Office while their cases are progressed in line with the UK immigration rules.

On Friday, Romanian national Andrut Mihai Duma, 29, was charged in relation to the case.

He was remanded in custody to appear at Lewes Crown Court on November 26.

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