The two men, Matthew John Okorie, 25 and Sunday Sylvester, 22, who were remanded and next due to appear at Southampton" target='"_blank"' rel='"noopener"' title='"Southampton"' data-wpil-keyword-link='"linked"' data-wpil-monitor-id='"151974"'>Southampton Crown Court on 29 January 2021, will now face no further action for an offence relating to conduct endangering ships under S.58 Merchant Shipping Act 1995.
This decision was taken by the Crown Prosecution Service after additional evidence came to light as part of the investigation.
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 other men, who were arrested on suspicion of seizing or exercising control of a ship by use of threats or force, remained on police bail until 25 January 2021. They will also now face no further action in relation to the Hampshire Constabulary led the investigation. They will remain detained under immigration powers in accordance with published processes.
