Pilot appears at Northampton Magistrates Court over alleged people smuggling after plane lands at county airfield

A 52-year-old pilot has appeared at Northampton Magistrates Court charged with attempting to fly illegal immigrants into the county.

Richard Styles, of no fixed abode, was detained during an operation led by the National Crime Agency on Thursday (March 24) after landing his twin-engined plane following a flight from Belgium.

Northamptonshire Police, working with the NCA, stopped a taxi which had left an airfield near Corby, arresting the driver and four Albanian nationals.

The operation was also supported by Border Force and Immigration Enforcement.

Both Styles and the taxi driver, a 42-year-old man from Tooting in South London, were questioned by NCA investigators.

Styles was later charged with facilitating a breach of immigration law and appeared at court on Saturday where he was remanded in custody to appear at Leicester Crown Court on April 25.

The taxi driver has been bailed, pending further enquiries.

Three men and a woman, all Albanian nationals aged between 21 and 64, remain under immigration powers.

NCA Regional Head of Investigations Jacque Beer said: “We know people smugglers use a range of methods to try and breach UK border controls and we remain alive to the threats.

“Working with our law enforcement partners we are determined to do all we can to stop them.

“The aviation and local community can play a vital role in preventing border crime, and whether you work in the aviation industry, are a keen pilot, or live locally, you should report any unusual or suspicious activity at a UK airfield or airport immediately.”

If you see anything unusual or suspicious you can call 0300 123 7000 and quote ‘PEGASUS’ or click HERE to go to the government’s immigration crime website.