FIVE people – including three from Carlisle – have appeared before a court accused of conspiring to help foreign nationals breach immigration law.

During a first hearing at the city’s Rickergate court, magistrates were told about the alleged conspiracy, which prosecutors say ran for 24 days involves the defendants 'conspiring' to allow illegal entry into the UK of non-UK nationals.

They did this in a way that facilitated those individuals to breach immigration law, says the wording of the charge.

The defendants involved are:

  • Chantelle Genevieve Cook, 31, of Springfield Road, Harraby;
  • Neil Anthony Sowerby, 55, of Petteril Street, Carlisle;
  • Paul Joseph Watson, 34, of Briscoe, Carlisle, who also faces an allegation of possessing cannabis with intent to supply;
  • Stasia Manderson, 28, of Johnston Street, Gateshead;
  • And Francis Joseph Patrick Pattinson, 30, of Farm Lane, Rochdale, who also faces an allegation of possessing cannabis with intent to supply.

The case against Cook was adjourned until June 5 for legal reasons.

The case against the other four defendants, however, was sent to Carlisle Crown Court for a hearing on June 19. Prosecutors say the conspiracy ran between August 1, 2020, until August 24 of that year.

All of the defendants - none of who entered pleas - were granted unconditional bail until their next court appearance.