A DJ who attempted to smuggle nine illegal migrants into the UK through the Channel Tunnel has been jailed for four years and six months.

On an evening in May 2016, Border Force officers at the Channel Tunnel entrance in Coquelles, France stopped a British-registered VW Crafter van.

The driver, Kristopher John Salt, said he had hired the van to go to Brussels and buy second hand tyres which he intended to re-sell in the UK.

Officers asked Salt to open the rear of the van and, hidden in a small space among the stacks of tyres, found nine illegal migrants.

The group was made up of three adults and six minors, including a one year-old, making up two family groups.

Paul Morgan, Director of Border Force South East and Europe said: "Salt was happy to subject people, including small children, to the dangers associated with being transported in such conditions.

"Border Force officers will continue to work with law enforcement colleagues to ensure that people smugglers and traffickers, whose actions so often put the lives of others at risk, face the consequences of their crimes."

Salt, a British national, was arrested and the case passed to Immigration Enforcement Criminal and Financial Investigation (CFI) officers.

During questioning, Salt claimed he was a self employed DJ but the income wasn’t regular and heard that buying and importing tyres to re-sell in the UK was a good investment.

He also maintained he had been unaware of the migrants hidden in the van.

But a text message on Salt’s mobile phone from an unknown third party indicated that he was an active participant in the attempt to breach the UK’s immigration controls, and that he was being paid for his involvement.

The 27-year-old from Nuneaton in Leicestershire was subsequently charged with assisting unlawful immigration into the UK and was found guilty by a jury at Canterbury Crown Court last week and sentenced on Thursday (21 June).

David Fairclough, CFI Assistant Director, said: "Salt’s claim that he was not aware of the migrants hidden in the van was implausible, especially when considered in conjunction with the mobile phone message.

"I hope this case sends a clear message to anyone tempted to get involved with this kind of criminality, you will be caught and brought before the courts.

"We work closely with Border Force colleagues to rigorously investigate allegations of immigration related criminality."

The illegal migrants, who claimed they were from Iraq, found in the vehicle were passed to the French Police Aux Frontieres.

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