Two men have been cleared of people smuggling today (March 31) after the prosecution offered no evidence as the trial entered its third week.

A West Devon man had admitted making a number of voyages to smuggle illegal migrants into the UK but said he was acting under duress.

Tony Williams and Monet Roberts had gone on trial charged with conspiring to assist in the unlawful immigration into the UK.

Williams had denied one charge in connection with an incident involving a boat dropping off seventeen migrants at Slapton Sands on the south Devon coast on June 15 2022.

Plymouth Crown Court that Williams, now 60, also faced a second charge with Roberts of conspiracy to assist in people smuggling in July 2023 in Mothecombe on the south Devon coast.

But the Crown said there had been a careful review and they had decided to offer no evidence against both defendants.

Judge Matthew Turner recorded not guilty verdicts and both men were free to leave the court.

Speaking after the verdict, Tony Williams said:: ‘Under very difficult circumstances and to my eternal shame, more than 30 years ago I broke the law. I paid the price of my actions and served a lengthy prison sentence as well as I possibly could. Since I was released, over 25 years ago, I have strived to rebuild my life in as positive a manner as possible. I have tried to be a good husband and father. And within the constraints of a criminal record, I tried to give something back by way of atonement, by being a useful member of my local community.

‘Unfortunately, I had the misfortune to go into business with a prominent local businessman who swindled me out of £300,000. This led to me falling victim to two separate gangs who sought to use my past, and the control they were able to exert over me, to force my participation in the events that led to the boat landings on Slapton Beach in June 2022 and on Mothercombe Beach in July of 2023.I am relieved that the court has found me to be not guilty of these offences and ask the press to respect the privacy of me and my family while we seek to put this incredibly harrowing experience behind us.’