Van driver shocked by migrants discovery - court

Anas Al Mustafa denies assisting unlawful immigration to the UK

A van driver accused of smuggling seven migrants in a van on a cross-Channel ferry has said he was shocked and “completely numb” when they were discovered.

Anas Al Mustafa, 43, who is from Swansea and moved to the UK from Syria in 2011, denies assisting unlawful immigration to the UK at Lewes Crown Court.

Jurors have heard how the crew on the Dieppe-Newhaven ferry heard pleas from the van on 16 February and used an axe to break down a fake partition to get them out.

Mr Al Mustafa said it was the "most difficult day of his life".

The incident sparked an emergency response at Newhaven port

Speaking through an Arabic interpreter, he said: “I remember only certain scenes of what was going on. I saw a person throwing up. I saw them when they were getting the people inside to outside. It was a shock to me.”

The court previously heard how, in Syria, he had been introduced to a man called Badr who said he needed him to do a job driving a van.

Jurors were also told Mr Al Mustafa said he had previously been paid £500 to drive a van to Liverpool, but for the February job, he was being paid £5,000 to drive the van to the UK.

The court heard Mr Al Mustafa told police, in an interview with no interpreter, he did not know there were people in the van, but because he was being paid £5,000, he thought “maybe this time there is people inside”.

In court, however, Mr Al Mustafa said the £5,000 sum was incorrect and he meant £500.

He said he did not remember telling police he thought maybe people were in the van and he didn’t know why he said that.

The father-of-two said: “My problem is not what we spoke in there (interview) I didn’t understand. When it was being read here, I noticed there are things I can’t remember I said, and what I said is not correct even.”

The court heard he had been offered an interpreter for the police interview, but after he was told one was not available then, he said he would try in English.

Asked if he knew there were illegal immigrants in the van, the self-employed builder said: “No, only after it was discovered.

“I don’t need to do that kind of job.

“I have my business. I have my company. I have my accounts and I have proof of accounts for 13 years. Why would I do something that is illegal?”

The trial continues.