London, United Kingdom. Five British immigration officers appeared in court on Thursday charged with misconduct in public office and conspiracy to steal from migrants who arrived in Britain on small boats. All five are also charged with money laundering.
Charges and court appearance
John Bernthal, 53, Ben Edwardes, 45, Lee-Ann Evanson, 42, Besmir Matera, 36, and Jack Mitchell, 33, are charged with stealing from migrants between August 2021 and November 2022. They appeared at London’s Westminster Magistrates’ Court.
Prosecutor Rosalind Earis said the five worked on Britain’s south coast “dealing with recent arrivals on small boats across the Channel”.
Prosecution allegations
Earis told the court that “many of these people arrive with relatively large sums of money in cash on their person”. She said that when the defendants discovered this “they worked together to take that money for themselves and share it”.
Additional allegations involving Matera
Matera is also charged with entering or remaining in Britain by deception and possession of three identity documents in a false name: a British passport and full and provisional driving licences.
Earis said Matera applied for asylum in 2003, claiming he was from Kosovo and had arrived in Britain in the back of a lorry. Earis said Matera was from Albania and arrived in Britain on a school trip.
Sixth defendant and next steps
A sixth defendant, 43-year-old David Grundy, is charged with one count of money laundering.
All six defendants were granted bail ahead of their next hearing at Southwark Crown Court in February, and none were asked to enter pleas.
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