This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-51195213
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Suspected illegal immigrants found in horsebox | Suspected illegal immigrants found in horsebox |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A couple were left "shocked" when they found four immigrants inside their horse box after they travelled back to England from France. | |
Sue and Jeremy Riches, from Pattingham, Staffordshire, had stopped at their son's house in Marlborough, Wiltshire, when they made the discovery. | |
The four Sudanese men have been arrested on suspicion of immigration offences, the Home Office said. | |
Three are minors who have been passed to social services, it added. | |
The fourth has been transferred to an immigration removal centre while his case is dealt with, it added. | |
Police were called by Mr and Mrs Riches to London Road in Marlborough at about 09:00 GMT. | |
They were bringing back furniture to the UK, having recently sold a house in France. | |
"We had just unloaded part of the trailer and I was looking to see what I should do next and suddenly two immigrants appeared which is a really horrible fright when it first happens," Mrs Riches said. | |
"Then there were two more in the back of the trailer hiding underneath bin liners. | |
"They looked absolutely exhausted and they were just standing with their heads down." | |
They said they had placed tamper proof tape and fastenings on the trailer, and raised concerns with officials in Caen, France, that the seals may have been damaged. | |
The trailer was checked by security, Mr Riches said, but the couple were told there was "nothing there" and allowed to continue their journey. | |
The Home Office said all the cases will be dealt with according to immigration rules. |