Newhaven people smuggler who fled to Germany in a bid to evade justice is jailed

A lorry driver who absconded after admitting to trying to smuggle illegal immigrants at Newhaven ferry port has been jailed, the Home Office said.
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Grigore Nistor was stopped by Border Force officers on August 15, 2018, at Newhaven ferry port, where he was caught trying to smuggle ten Vietnamese nationals into the UK hidden in used tyres inside his HGV, the Home Office said.

At Hove Crown Court on July, 25, 2019, the 43-year-old, from Windermere Avenue, Purfleet, admitted facilitating illegal migration, said the Home Office.

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He was released on court bail but fled the country before his sentencing hearing could take place.

Grigore Nistor was arrested in Germany.

Picture: Home OfficeGrigore Nistor was arrested in Germany.

Picture: Home Office
Grigore Nistor was arrested in Germany. Picture: Home Office

The Home Office confirmed he was arrested in Germany after Immigration Enforcement Criminal and Financial Investigations (CFI) worked with international law enforcement partners to locate him after he absconded.

He was returned to the UK by specialist CFI officers and appeared at Lewes Crown Court on Monday (March 23), where he was sentenced to 40 months for the people smuggling offence, as well as an additional four months for his failure to appear at the previous hearing.

Dave Fairclough, CFI Deputy Director, said: “Nistor’s smuggling attempt was putting lives at risk. Had anything gone wrong on the journey, the people hidden in his cargo would have stood little chance.

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“It is thanks to the vigilance of Border Force officers at Newhaven that he was not able to proceed any further.

Grigore Nistor was caught trying to smuggle 10 illegal immigrants into the UK hidden in used tyres inside his lorry.  Picture: Home OfficeGrigore Nistor was caught trying to smuggle 10 illegal immigrants into the UK hidden in used tyres inside his lorry.  Picture: Home Office
Grigore Nistor was caught trying to smuggle 10 illegal immigrants into the UK hidden in used tyres inside his lorry. Picture: Home Office

“CFI officers were determined that Nistor would not avoid his sentence and, since he absconded, have continued to work to bring him back to the UK.

“The jail term handed to him sends a clear message that those involved with this kind of criminality will be brought to justice.”

When Nistor was arrested, officers found that he had several fraudulent documents designed to make his journey appear legitimate, the Home Office said.

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These included a false delivery note for his HGV cargo which showed that it was to be delivered to a company in Hillingdon, west London.

Grigore Nistor has been jailed. Picture: Home OfficeGrigore Nistor has been jailed. Picture: Home Office
Grigore Nistor has been jailed. Picture: Home Office

On his laptops officers found a European road haulage licence in a false name, said the Home Office, as well as insurance certificates and an HGV Goods Vehicle Identity Disk, both of which had altered details.

Anyone with information about suspected immigration abuse can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 anonymously or visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org.