A JURY has delivered verdicts for two Carlisle men who were accused of being part of a plot to smuggle Albanian nationals into the UK, clearing one and convicting the other.

Plumber Paul Watson, 35, was declared not guilty.

His co-defendant Neil Sowerby, 57, was found guilty and was remanded in custody until he is sentenced on August 2. Judge Nicholas Barker warned him there was an “overwhelming likelihood" he will be immediately jailed.

Earlier in the case, prosecutor Christopher Rose outlined how the investigation got underway in August of 2020 after Border Police stopped two pickup trucks at the UK controlled area on the French side of the Eurotunnel.

Hiding in the back of each truck were four Albanian nationals.

Carlisle man Francis Pattinson, 30, formerly of Briar Bank, Belah, has already admitted being part of the plot to bring the men into the UK illegally, and given a 32-month jail term. A woman who drove one of the trucks got a suspended jail term.

Sowerby and Watson travelled to Belgium with Pattinson on August 7 of 2020, while Sowerby made a second trip with Pattinson two weeks later, when the Albanians were discovered.

Both Sowerby and Watson claimed they were “innocently caught up in” the people smuggling operation and knew nothing about it.

In his evidence, Watson told the jury his sole purpose in going to Belgium was to buy cheap cigarettes so he could sell them on in the UK and “double his money.”

His wife, in a reference, described him as “always kind, genuine, hard-working, loving and trustworthy.” He did however admit possessing cannabis with intent to supply, saying the drug – which he has now stopped using – had helped him to cope with his ADHD.

He has since taken up yoga and returned to skateboarding, a sport he loves. Watson denied ever being a part of Pattinson’s “close circle” of friends.

Sowerby told the court that the trips were organised for him and Watson, his intention being to buy cheap alcohol. Pattinson asked to come along, bringing another man, he said. He insisted he was not involved in the people smuggling plot.

Judge Barker granted bail to Watson, of Brisco, Carlisle, telling him he will be sentenced for the cannabis offence on September 12 after a background report is prepared. A report will also be prepared for Sowerby, of Petteril Street, Carlisle.

He told Sowerby: “You have been convicted by the jury on the evidence of the offence of people trafficking.

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“It’s a serious offence. You will know that the defendant Francis Pattinson received a custodial sentence in respect of that, a relatively lengthy one… You must remain in custody until you are before the court on August 2.

“You will know that it’s an overwhelming likelihood that you will receive an immediate custodial sentence. You will now start that sentence, which is inevitable.”

The judge concluded by thanking the jury for their efforts.

The woman who was driving the second pickup truck was identified but has now gone missing.  Both the women who were driving the pickup trucks were associates of Pattinson.