Courts / Derry / Report
NI man jailed for human trafficking conspiracy in UK wanted for allegedly trying to murder partner
Summary
Stephen Andrew McLaughlin, a 44‑year‑old from Rose Park, Limavady, was sentenced to nine years' imprisonment in 2016 for conspiring to illegally traffic Afghan migrants into the UK. The High Court heard that he supplied a lorry and shipping account for a container that carried 35 Afghan nationals, including a man who died of a heart attack, and that a second container was intercepted in France. McLaughlin denied the conspiracy charge but was convicted by a jury at Basildon Crown Court. In February 2024, a warrant was issued by Southend Magistrates Court for his arrest after he breached the terms of his licence. In January 2024, a warrant was issued by Laganside Magistrates Court in Belfast for seven alleged offences, including attempted murder. The alleged attempted murder occurred on 19 September 2022 at Ness Woods Country Park, Co.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: NI man jailed for human trafficking conspiracy in UK wanted for allegedly trying to murder partner. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Convicted
When:
- August 2014 Incident
- June 30, 2015 Incident
- February 2024 Incident
- September 19, 2022 Incident
- January 17, 2025 Other
- June 14 Adjournment
- 2024-05-30 Publication
Why: The identification of a corresponding offence in Irish law is required in order to grant extradition. CNI source report
Case subjects
Background Person
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; Stephen Andrew McLaughlin (44) was sentenced to nine years' imprisonment in 2016 for conspiracy to facilitate illegal entry into the UK in August 2014, in a scheme that was discovered after an Afghan man died of a heart attack in a lorry container. McLaughlin, of Rose Park, Limavady, Co Derry, had denied the conspiracy charge but was convicted by a jury and jailed at Basildon Crown Court on June 30, 2015.; Mr Justice MacGrath adjourned the matter to June 14 for judgement.
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