A people smuggler has been jailed at Canterbury Crown Court for more than two years, after being caught trafficking two people into the UK.

Gavin Charters, 40, was arrested in Coquelles by Border Force officers on February 25 2019 after a Vietnamese man and woman were found in the boot of his car.

Having previously lied and said his trip to France was to fish, he later pleaded guilty to assisting unlawful entry into the UK.

He was given a 29 month prison sentence at Canterbury Crown Court last Friday, September 25.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “This crime was a blatant attempt to smuggle two vulnerable individuals into the United Kingdom with no care for their safety or wellbeing. This sentencing sends out a clear message to anyone involved in organised immigration crime: we will not tolerate it, we will catch you and you will face the full force of the law.”

On arrest, Charters told officers that he had been in France to meet a friend and go fishing, however there was no fishing equipment in the vehicle and he wasn’t able to reveal who he had met.

On further questioning Charters did not cooperate with the officers’ inquiries, and he later absconded from bail, prompting a manhunt.

Immigration Enforcement’s Criminal and Financial Investigations Fugitive Active Search Team used extensive data and intelligence, working with Merseyside Police and Essex Police, to trace him to a location in Clacton-on-Sea.

On September 24, police attended an identified address and Charters attempted to flee on foot but was apprehended.

Further investigations showed that he had gambling debts of around £9,000, which he was hoping to partly clear with the payment from trafficking.

Charters also pleaded guilty to driving without insurance and whilst disqualified and failing to report to court for his hearing.

Stephen Blackwell, Assistant Director for Criminal and Financial Investigations, Immigration Enforcement said: “People smuggling is a cruel and exploitative crime. People like Gavin Charters do not care about the wellbeing of those they smuggle, only making a quick profit.

“Charters knowingly and flagrantly flouted laws set up to protect vulnerable people and the UK public. I’m extremely proud of the team for apprehending Charters and also tracking him down to ensure he faced justice after he absconded."

Anyone with information about suspected immigration abuse can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 anonymously or visit http://www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

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