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28 March 2006 - 14 Years Jail for Cockle
Picker Tragedy
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Mr. Justice Henriques has today (Tuesday), imposed a 14 years
prison sentence upon Gangmaster Lin Liang Ren, following the manslaughter of 21
cockle pickers (plus 2 never found), who tragically died at Morecambe Bay on 5
February 2004.
12 years was for the manslaughter charges, 6 years for the
facilitation charges to run concurrently, with a further 2 years for conspiracy
to pervert the course of justice to run consecutively.
The facilitation conviction of the gangmaster's girlfriend, Zhao
Xiao Qing also received a custodial sentence of 2 years and 9 months, whilst the
cousin, Lin Mu Yong, was sentenced to 4 years and 9 months.
A decision will have to be taken by the Home Office as to
whether deportation should take place when all three's sentence has been served.
Passing sentence, Mr Justice Henriques said Lin Liang Ren had:
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"cynically and callously" exploited his countrymen and women and
provided them with dreadful living conditions.
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The gangmaster had been motivated by avarice and displayed
little regard for the safety of the cocklers.
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He had told a series of "spectacular lies" to authorities in a
bid to evade justice and displayed complete indifference to the fate of the
victims.
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He had attempted to blame everyone but himself for the deaths of
the illegal Chinese workers.
In a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) press release on 24 March
2006, the Health and Safety Commission (HSC) took the opportunity to "re-empahsise
the importance of worker protection imposed by health and safety legislation"
and Bill Callaghan, HSE Chair commented by saying:
“The successful prosecution can never compensate for the
tragic loss of 23 lives. Nevertheless, today’s verdict (24 March) highlights the
need to ensure sensible health and safety arrangements are in place for all
workers in Britain, whatever their nationality or migrant status.
“The Health and Safety Executive has already commissioned further work in order
to get a clearer picture of where migrants are working and the sorts of jobs
they do, as the next stage in finding out whether they are at greater risk of
injury or ill-health than other workers. That report will be available later
this year.
“At Morecambe Bay, the risks to regular cocklers have been considerably reduced.
While it remains a hazardous place, those who follow the guidelines should be
able to work without serious risk.”
An account of the tragic incident on 5 February 2004 can be read
in the HSE's press release and can be accessed by clicking the following:
Cocklers tragedy highlights need for high safety standards
Article by Alexandra Johnston
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