Man, 64, admits immigration offences over eight Albanians found on yacht in Portsmouth

A MAN has admitted charges over smuggling eight Albanians into Britain.
By Ben Fishwick
Published 18th Dec 2019, 06:00 BST
Updated 18th Dec 2019, 20:49 BST
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Wolfram Steidl, 64, of no fixed address, admitted assisting unlawful immigration at a hearing and possessing identity documents with improper intention.

He entered the pleas at Portsmouth Crown Court on Friday.

Read More
Latest crime news in Portsmouth, Havant, Gosport and Fareham
Eight Albanian migrants were found on board a motor cruiser in the English Channel. The vessel was intercepted by a Border Force cutter off the coast of West Sussex on the afternoon of November 6 and taken into Portsmouth, where the seven adults and one minor on board were handed to immigration authorities.Eight Albanian migrants were found on board a motor cruiser in the English Channel. The vessel was intercepted by a Border Force cutter off the coast of West Sussex on the afternoon of November 6 and taken into Portsmouth, where the seven adults and one minor on board were handed to immigration authorities.
Eight Albanian migrants were found on board a motor cruiser in the English Channel. The vessel was intercepted by a Border Force cutter off the coast of West Sussex on the afternoon of November 6 and taken into Portsmouth, where the seven adults and one minor on board were handed to immigration authorities.

It comes after a vessel was intercepted by a Border Force cutter off the coast of West Sussex and taken into Portsmouth on November 6.

Seven adults and a child were found aboard the yacht.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Previously National Crime Agency operations manager Martin Matthews said: ‘The NCA works closely with our law enforcement partners to protect our borders, and targeting and disrupting criminal groups involved in people smuggling is one of our highest priorities.'

Steidl will be sentenced on February 14.