Bracke tried to smuggle immigrants through the port of Dover

A cynical businessman – who went on the run rather than face punishment for people smuggling – has finally started his jail sentence.

Danny Bracke, 54, packed 11 Vietnamese immigrants into his camper van in France and then tried to sneak them into Dover.

But he was stopped by keen-eyed Border Agency staff at the town’s Eastern Docks in June 2009.

Inside his van they discovered the 11 hidden in an 8ft by 4ft secret compartment – but all Belgian Bracke asked about was if his bike had been damaged!

Canterbury Crown Court heard that staff were shocked by his cynicism – and a jury later convicted him of smuggling in March 2011.

Although the trial judge wanted to sentence immediately, she was persuaded to grant Bracke and his wife Svetnia Anguelova bail “to get their family and business matters in order”.

Instead the two fled to Europe and were each sentenced to five years in their absence.

Defence barrister Duane Bridger told the court that Bracke deliberately jumped bail believing he could fight extradition in Belgium.

But today he started serving his prison sentence – and was given an extra four months for the bail offence.

Mr Bridger claimed the couple have now split – and Bulgarian-born Anguelova is still on the run.