Three Men Jailed for Smuggling Albanian Migrants in Dangerous Boat Trips
Boat Horror: Migrants Risked Lives for Cash
Three men were today locked up at Newport Crown Court for plotting to smuggle Albanian nationals into the UK by sea. Jean-Pierre Labelle, 45, from Ryde, Stephen Redhead, 47, and Christopher Barber, 55—both from Shanklin—conspired to organise two illegal boat trips from Cherbourg, France.
Shoddy Boats, No Lifejackets and Danger at Sea
Labelle was the ringleader, arranging vessels and recruiting experts like Redhead, who knew the “Anore” boat inside out. Redhead then hired Barber, an engineer. The second boat, named “Freedom,” was caught by police in France with only one lifejacket onboard, highlighting the reckless disregard the trio had for their passengers’ safety.
Cash Over Lives: Exploitation and Organised Crime
All three were motivated by money, putting migrants’ lives on the line in poorly maintained vessels. Ian Harris, Senior Crown Prosecutor at CPS Wessex, said:
“We are dedicated to prosecuting people who seek to transport others to the UK illegally, often in dangerous conditions that exploit vulnerable migrants forced to pay hefty sums for the journey.”
“Disrupting this organised crime is vital.”
Sentences Handed Down
- Jean-Pierre Labelle: 8 years in jail
- Stephen Redhead: 5 years
- Christopher Barber: 3 years
