A TILBURY man had admitted his role in the deaths of 39 Vietnamese whose bodies were discovered in a refrigerated lorry container last year.

Earlier this year the lorry driver admitted manslaughter and in the weeks that followed the police investigation has brought a number of other men before court.

Yesterday (Friday, 26 June) Alexandru Hanga, 28, of Hobart Road, Tilbury, appeared at the Old Bailey via video link. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration under section 25 of the Immigration Act 1971.

He due to appear at court at a later date for sentencing.

Earlier in the week (Wednesday 24 June) a man extradited from Ireland in connection with the investigation appeared at Southend Magistrates on.

Ronan Hughes, 40 of Tyholland in County Monaghan, has been charged with 39 counts of manslaughter and one count of facilitating the illegal entry of people into the UK.