Video has released by the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit (SEROCU), after the conviction of three Isle of Wight men who organised crossings across the English Channel, in a bid to smuggle people into the country.

Lord Redhead, or Stephen Redhead, 47, of Horsebridge Hill, Newport appeared alongside Christopher Barber, 55, of Landguard Road, Shanklin at Portsmouth Crown Court today (Friday).

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A unanimous jury found the pair guilty of conspiring to do an act to facilitate the commission of a breach of UK immigration law by a non EU person, contrary to the Immigration Act.

Their convictions followed a seven day trial at Portsmouth Crown Court and footage, filmed at East Cowes Marina, has now been released.

In February, Jean Pierre Labelle, 45, of Ashey Road, Ryde, admitted the same charge.

Redhead was remanded in custody and Barber was released on bail until sentencing, with both due to appear at Isle of Wight Crown Court on March 18.

What have the Isle of Wight men been convicted of?

On March 17, 2020, the three men travelled to Cherbourg in France, on board a 70ft ketch yacht called ‘Anore’.

They returned to East Cowes Marina on March 19, 2020, with ten extra people on board, court heard.

The extra passengers are suspected to have been people who entered the UK illegally, the jury was told.

CCTV showed a group of people getting off the boat in East Cowes, before leaving the marina through the gate.

The suspected migrants have not been traced.

Hampshire Constabulary received a report and passed the matter to officers from the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit (SEROCU).

Isle of Wight County Press: One of the boats involved. Photo by SEROCU.One of the boats involved. Photo by SEROCU.

What happened on a trip in June 2020?

Between June 26 and 27, 2020, Labelle organised another journey using a small boat named ‘Freedom’.

On this occasion, he was unsuccessful and the vessel used was intercepted after a joint operation with SEROCU, the National Crime Agency and French authorities.

Six Albanian nationals were found to be on board, along with two criminal associates who were subsequently prosecuted in France.

Checks found they did not have the necessary documents to enter the United Kingdom.

What has the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit said about the people smuggling charge?

SEROCU's senior investigating officer, Clair Trueman, said: "Today’s convictions are the result of detailed investigation into people smuggling.

"We know the dangers that people face being smuggled across the English Channel and we know tragically, this and other methods can have lethal consequences.

"We continue our work to tackle the people smugglers who seek to exploit UK borders and treat migrants as a commodity to be profited from, with no regard for their safety."