by Paul Hooper

Sixteen illegal immigrants were smuggled into Dover inside a sealed frozen food lorry - at minus 23C!

The truck was stopped at Coquelles where officers found the Albanians packed in the sealed trailer.

Prosecutor Donna East told Canterbury Crown Court they were "trapped inside" unable to open the door.

The Ashford-bound refrigeration lorry - carrying frozen desserts - was driven by a 23-year-old Lithuanian driver Redas Raukis.

She said that had the truck not been stopped by immigration officials the "consequences could have been dire".

Raukis, who needed a translator for the 15-minute hearing, was jailed for four years after he admitted smuggling the people into the UK.

Ed Burge, defending, said Raukis, who is the father of a four-year-old child, needed money for his wedding - which was planned for later this year.

He said he had been offered £1,000 per person to bring just three people to Britain - and was surprised that 16 had been smuggled onboard when he stopped in France.

He said the danger to the 16 was "minimal" as they had been given sleeping bags - and had Raukis's mobile number in case of emergency. He also disputed the -23C temperature reading.

But Judge Nigel van der Bijl said although no-one had suffered there had been "a clear risk that people inside might have suffered from hypothermia or other illnesses."