Britain: At least 21 Chinese cocklers perished in the freezing waters of Morecambe Bay after their gangmaster let them get trapped by rising tides, a court heard yesterday.
The cocklers, all illegal immigrants, drowned because Lin Liang Ren "completely failed" to look after them, Preston Crown Court heard.
The victims were part of a team of cockle pickers organised by the 29-year-old who were caught by the incoming tide on Warton Sands off Hest Bank, Lancashire, on the night of February 5th last year.
Tim Holroyde QC, prosecuting, told the jury of 10 women and two men: "A team of Chinese cockle pickers were caught by the incoming tide in Morecambe Bay.
"Some managed to swim to safety or were rescued, but at least 21 were drowned. It is the prosecution case that their deaths were caused by the criminal negligence of Lin Liang Ren.
"He was the gangmaster controlling the cockle pickers, he was responsible for them, and he had completely failed to take proper care for their safety as they worked in the cold and dark." The court heard there were "particular dangers of cockling in Morecambe Bay" because of fast tides and large areas of quicksand.
Mr Holroyde said: "From the outset Lin Liang Ren knew of the risks for his workers of cockling in that area.
"On the night of February 5th there was a combination of factors in Morecambe Bay which meant that there was going to be a high tide and bad weather.
"The local cockle pickers either did not go out at all or went out for a short time and came safely back to shore well before the tide came in.
"But not so with the Chinese cocklers in Lin Liang Ren's gang. They stayed out too long and were trapped as the tide came in."
Lin Liang Ren, from Liverpool, denies 21 counts of manslaughter. He also denies perverting the course of justice and conspiracy to facilitate illegal immigration.
Lin Liang Ren's girlfriend, Zhao Xiao Qing (20), from Liverpool, denies perverting the course of justice and facilitation. His cousin and alleged fellow gangmaster Lin Mu Yong (31), from Liverpool, denies facilitation. Father and son David Anthony Eden snr and David Anthony Eden jnr, from Merseyside, also deny facilitation.
The court heard they ran the Liverpool Bay Fishing Company Ltd, which bought cockles from Lin Liang Ren to sell to Spain.
Mr Holroyde told the court that Lin Liang Ren was in Morecambe Bay on the night of the tragedy and tried to cover up his role in it. "No doubt because he was well aware of his responsibility, Lin Liang Ren immediately set about trying to distance himself from the tragedy," he said.
The court heard that the team of Chinese cocklers were all illegal immigrants and were helped to stay in the country by the five defendants.
Lin Liang Ren came to the UK from China in 2000 claiming to be a student. But Mr Holroyde said that he provided the immigration service with "false" information.
"The reality, we say, was that in 2003 and 2004 Lin Liang Ren was fully occupied in organising Chinese illegal immigrants, both men and women, to work as cockle pickers," he said.
Lin Liang Ren rented two houses in Liverpool but did not live at either, the court heard. Instead they were "crammed full" of cocklers.
Mr Holroyde said: "He was paying for food, he was supplying clothing and equipment, he was buying vehicles for use in transporting the cockle pickers. Why was he spending all this money if not because he was the gangmaster?"
The trial before Mr Justice Henriques, which is due to last four to six months, was adjourned to 10am today.