Smugglers' sentencing delayed by faulty alarms

A judge at Maidstone Crown Court adjourned the sentencing until 8 November

A judge delayed the sentencing of two people smugglers after faulty alarms in the court building meant no defendants could be taken into custody.

Josh Mallaburn, 33, and Liam Cronin, 34, from Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, appeared at Maidstone Crown Court for sentencing earlier on Thursday.

They were due to be sentenced after being convicted of assisting unlawful immigration transporting people in a van on 27 August 2018.

Recorder Nicola Makanjuola began the hearing by saying that it was "out of her hands" but the sentencing could not take place and the sentencing was adjourned until 8 November.

"Our cells aren't able to accept any custody cases today," the judge told the court.

"The courts aren't able to sentence individuals to periods of imprisonment today because of a problem with the alarms," she said.

Judge Makanjuola added that unfortunately, given the nature of the hearing, she was not able to proceed.

Mallaburn and Cronin were remanded on bail.

Court officials could not say how many cases were affected for the day when asked by PA news agency.