A MOTORIST who tried to smuggle five Albanian nationals into Britain from Ireland through a Welsh port was jailed for 40 months today (February 18).

Father-of-five Robert Marsland, 46, of Knocknagoran, Co. Louth, had been stopped by immigration officers at Holyhead in Anglesey after travelling on a ferry from Ireland in July 2019.

He must serve an additional four months in custody after failing to attend court for sentencing two years ago and being extradited from Ireland on February 9.

Defence barrister, Ryan Rothwell, said Mr Marsland had been promised £1,000 by a member of the travelling community to drive the Albanians to Britain.

He felt a degree of threat.

Mr Rothwell said it was: “one very stupid mistake he made to do this, all for a thousand pounds.”

Mr Marsland admitted assisting unlawful immigration.

Recorder Wyn Lloyd Jones, at Caernarfon Crown Court, told the defendant it had been a commercial transaction involving five strangers.

The judge declared: “Illegal entry into this country is on the increase.

“People who commit offences like this must understand they are serious and will be severely dealt with by the courts, with deterrent sentences.”