Immigration officers deny stealing from migrants

Immigration officers allegedly stole cash and property worth hundreds of thousands of pounds from small boats migrants as they arrived in the UK, a court has heard.

Six officers, who were working for the Home Office in south-east England, are charged with money laundering.

Five of them face charges of misconduct in public office and conspiracy to steal between 2021 and 2022.

They denied all the charges against them at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday.

Besmir Matera, 36, Lee-Ann Evanson, 42, John Bernthal, 53, Ben Edwardes, 45, Jack Mitchell, 33, and David Grundy, 43, worked in immigration enforcement clandestine operations response teams across the region, the court heard.

Prosecutor Lyndon Harris said the officers were tasked with processing migrants who arrived on small boats, which included searching their bags.

Judge Nicholas Rimmer told the defendants that their trial had provisionally been set for 17 January 2028.

"I'm sorry it's so long away. It's the earliest date that the court can accommodate," he said.

Matera, one of the accused officers, is also charged with obtaining leave to enter the UK by deception between 2003 and 2004.

The court heard that he lied about his personal circumstances, including giving a false name, date of birth, place of birth and nationality, when he applied for asylum.

The 36-year-old, from Reigate in Surrey, also faces two counts of possession of an identity document with improper intention, namely a passport and a driving licence.

He pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Evanson, from Bracknell in Berkshire, Bernthal, from Welling in London, Edwardes, from Bexleyheath in London, and Mitchell, from Dover in Kent, all pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to steal, misconduct in public office and converting criminal property.

Grundy, of Croydon in London, also pleaded not guilty to the latter charge.

The defendants were released on bail.

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