A lorry driver has gone to jail for giving two people a lift who turned out to be illegal immigrants.

Giorgi Kolev said he thought he was just helping out two men who had broken down and needed to get back home to the UK – until he was stopped at a check point in Newhaven ferry port on March 3 at 10pm.

As his vehicle edged closer towards immigration officers, the two Albanians sitting in his cabin clambered into the top bunk and shut themselves in, Lewes Crown Court heard.

It was only then Kolev realised he was transporting them illegally and panicked, covering the bunk with clothes.

Officers arrested him after searching the lorry and discovering the men.

The 48-year-old Bulgarian, who lives in the country with his family and has been driving lorries into the UK for three years, pleaded guilty to helping illegal immigrants into the East Quay of the port and was handed a 15-month prison sentence.

He wept and hung his head for most of the hearing, relayed to him by a translator, as his family looked on from the public gallery.

Guy Russell, prosecuting, told the court Kolev’s statement claimed he stopped just outside Dieppe to use a toilet before making his way to the ferry port. He was parked next to four men by a broken-down car and two of them said they were stuck and needed to get home to the UK.

He gave them a lift to the port where they parted ways to each buy their tickets, but he bumped into them in the café onboard and they got back in his lorry when it alighted from the ferry at Newhaven. He said he had no idea they were illegal, the court heard.

James Riley, defending, said: “He admits he should have told the immigration officers as soon as he realised something was wrong.

“He was trying to be kind to help someone get home. There is no evidence of any financial gain. What he has actually done is relatively minor.”

He added: “He is a well-respected man.”

Although no documents were produced to verify the claim, Kolev said he was fined in France in 2014 after two illegal immigrants were found in his vehicle.

He will have to serve up to half of the sentence in custody and the days he has spent in a cell since his arrest were taken into account. The remainder of his time will be spent on licence.

Quote

RECORDER Anthony Chinn QC initially said he struggled to find Giorgi Kolev’s story credible, but later said he believed the offence was committed on “humanitarian” and “compassionate” grounds.
During sentencing he said: “I have read two powerful letters from your wife and daughter. But it is apparent from one of these letters that you knew how serious this crime was.
“You have lost your job as a result of your arrest as you had signed a declaration that you would not transport people who are not employed for the company in your vehicle.
“I accept that you feel remorse and I have seen you in the dock.”