Border staff who 'stole cash from migrants' bailed

A group of immigration officers accused of stealing from people that arrived in the UK on small boats have appeared in court together.

The six border officials - from Berkshire, Kent, Surrey and London - are charged with money laundering and five are further accused of misconduct in public office and conspiracy to steal.

Prosecutor Rosalind Earis told Westminster Magistrates' Court on Thursday the charges related to thefts of "property belonging to migrants arriving at Dover between August 2021 and November 2022".

Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring bailed the defendants ahead of a further hearing at Southwark Crown Court on 26 February.

Earis said the defendants "conspired together to steal cash from migrants on small boats" and then "worked together to take money and share it out".

The case followed inquiries by Home Office anti-corruption investigators, she said.

The court heard the six defendants were colleagues in immigration enforcement clandestine operations response teams based at Dover and Manston in Kent.

In addition to charges of conspiracy to steal, misconduct in public office and converting criminal property, 36-year-old Besmir Matera, of Reigate in Surrey, is accused of obtaining leave to enter the UK by deception between 2003 and 2004.

He is further accused of three counts of possession of an identity document with improper intention, namely a passport, a full driving licence and a provisional driving licence.

His co-defendants charged with conspiracy to steal, misconduct in public office and converting criminal property are:

• Lee-Ann Evanson, 42, of Bracknell in Berkshire.
• John Bernthal, 53, of Welling in south-east London.
• Ben Edwardes, 45, of Bexleyheath in south-east London.
• Jack Mitchell, 33, of Dover.

David Grundy, 43, of Croydon in south London, is not charged with conspiracy to steal or misconduct in public office but is charged with converting criminal property.

Additional reporting by PA Media

Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.