Leo Seelig concludes People Smuggling conspiracy

February 4, 2025

Leo Seelig, leading Frederick Hookway of 5KBW, has prosecuted three men involved in a people-smuggling operation that saw multiple failed attempts to transport Vietnamese migrants across the English Channel.

Freddy Lawrence was found guilty of conspiring to assist unlawful immigration and sentenced to seven-and-a-half years in prison. Co-defendants Keith Baigent and Paul Giglia received three years and nine months and three years and four months, respectively.

The court was told that the trio made several attempts over a 10-day period in August 2018 to smuggle migrants into the UK, each of which ended in failure. On one occasion, a £30,000 boat purchased for the mission experienced steering difficulties and had to be towed back to Dover. Undeterred, the men acquired another vessel, but this too broke down mid-journey. A third attempt, involving both boats, was ultimately abandoned due to further mechanical failures.

The final attempt was thwarted by the French police who intercepted the smuggling operation on the beaches near Wimereux, detaining twelve Vietnamese migrants alongside three individuals responsible for navigating the vessel. Those men were subsequently convicted and jailed in France.

Leo Seelig practises in all areas of Crime, Murder, Manslaughter and Terrorism cases appearing as lead counsel in large, multi-handed cases involving complex, technical and sensitive evidence. Read more: [Leo Seelig Profile]

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[National Crime Agency]