No Charges for Two Men in Southampton Ship Threat Case
Charges Dropped After New Evidence
Matthew John Okorie, 25, and Sunday Sylvester, 22, were due in Southampton Crown Court on January 29, 2021, facing charges under the Merchant Shipping Act for endangering ships. But the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has now dropped all charges after fresh evidence emerged.
CPS Pulls the Plug
Senior District Crown Prosecutor Sophie Stevens said: “The CPS has a duty to keep all cases under continuous review and after additional maritime expert evidence came to light, we concluded there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction and discontinued the case.”
Five More Released But Held on Immigration Grounds
Meanwhile, five other men arrested on suspicion of seizing control of a ship using threats or force have also been cleared of criminal charges. They were on police bail until January 25, 2021, but Hampshire Constabulary won’t take further action.
However, all five remain detained under immigration laws, following official procedures.
