People-smuggling accused in court

Ten people have appeared in court accused of being part of a people smuggling ring which brought illegal migrants into the UK.

All 10 were arrested following police raids in London and Worcestershire.

They were charged with conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration. Nine were remanded into custody by London's City of Westminster Magistrates' Court.

All are due to appear at Southwark Crown Court on 23 April. An 11th person will appear in court at a later date.

Ting He, 19, from Peckham, south London, appeared alongside Kazim Karakus, 45, from Leytonstone, east London; Halil Karakus, 27, from Edmonton, north London; Zeynel Yazici, 49, from Enfield, north London; and Musa Herman, 48, from Hornsey, north London.

Kienan Giltas, 40, from Enfield; Mustafa Gunduz, 48, from Finsbury Park, north London; John Ashcroft, 59, of Chester Road, Kidderminster; Inan Taskin, 30, from Tottenham, north London; and Chun Yu, 21, from Peckham, were also remanded into custody.

Musa Herman, 48, from Hornsey, north London, faced the same charge and was released on conditional bail.

Police have charged Yakup Aslan, 36, of no fixed address, with conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration into the UK. He will appear at a court and on a date to be arranged.