LORD Redhead is among three Isle of Wight men to be convicted of organising crossings across the English Channel ­— to smuggle people into the country.

Stephen Redhead, 47, of Horsebridge Hill, Newport, and Christopher Barber, 55, of Landguard Road, Shanklin, appeared before a judge and jury at Portsmouth Crown Court today (Friday).

They were found guilty by a unanimous jury 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 the Portsmouth court.

Isle of Wight County Press:

One of the boats involved.

Jean Pierre Labelle, 45, of Ashey Road, Ryde, admitted the same charge at Portsmouth Crown Court back in February.

On March 17, 2020, Labelle travelled to Cherbourg, France, on board a 70ft ketch yacht named ‘Anore’ with Redhead and Barber.

They returned to East Cowes Marina on the Isle of Wight on March 19, 2020, with ten additional people who are suspected to have been migrants entering the UK illegally.

CCTV was examined showing the migrants alighting the vessel and a report was made to Hampshire Constabulary following the incident, before being passed to officers from the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit (SEROCU) to investigate.

The migrants are believed to have been in the UK but have not been able to be traced due to the incident being retrospectively reported.

Isle of Wight County Press:

One of the boats involved.

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 established that the Albanian nationals did not have the necessary pre-entry clearance needed to enter the United Kingdom.

When were the Isle of Wight men charged by police?

Labelle, Redhead and Barber were charged with the offence on May 25, last year.

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

“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.”

When will the Isle of Wight men be sentenced?

Redhead was remanded in custody and Barber was released on bail until sentencing.

They are due to appear at the Isle of Wight Crown Court for sentencing on March 18.