People Smuggler Hit with £65k Bill Over Tragic Deaths of 39 Vietnamese Migrants
Smuggler Ordered to Pay Victims’ Families
Gheorghe Nica, a people smuggler central to the heart-breaking deaths of 39 Vietnamese migrants, has been ordered to pay £65,157.65 in compensation to the victims’ families. Nica, 46, was previously jailed for 27 years after being found guilty of 39 counts of manslaughter and human trafficking. He played a key role by instructing lorry driver Maurice Robinson, whose vehicle was at the centre of the tragedy in Grays, Essex, on October 23, 2019.
Total Compensation Nears £284k
Nica is the final defendant in a series of court actions aimed at clawing back criminal profits from those involved in this horrific case. So far, convicted criminals linked to the tragedy have been forced to pay a combined sum of £283,802.58 to the victims’ families, though some parts of the compensation are still tied up in ongoing legal battles.
Police and Prosecutors Vow Justice and Compensation
Detective Chief Inspector Louise Metcalfe of Essex Police underlined the far-reaching impact of the tragedy. She stressed the commitment to bringing every offender to account and securing maximum compensation for the victims’ loved ones.
Darren Fox, CPS specialist prosecutor, slammed Nica for profiting from the deadly smuggling ring. He praised the joint efforts of CPS and police financial investigators in uncovering Nica’s criminal assets. Fox explained, “The Court’s Confiscation Order matches the assets Nica holds, with Compensation Orders ensuring payments go directly to the victims’ families.”
The CPS is determined to strip criminals of their ill-gotten gains and bring some measure of justice to those affected by this tragic disaster.
