Six serving immigration officers have been formally charged with a series of criminal offences, including allegedly stealing from migrants and laundering the proceeds, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has announced.
Details of the Alleged Crimes
The charges stem from an investigation by the Home Office's dedicated anti-corruption and criminal investigations unit. The alleged offences are said to have occurred between August 2021 and November 2022.
Malcolm McHaffie, who leads the CPS Special Crime Division, confirmed that prosecutors collaborated closely with the Home Office unit to build the case. All six individuals are scheduled to make their initial appearance at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 29 January.
The Defendants and Their Charges
The accused officers have been named and face a range of serious charges. Besmir Matera, 36, from Reigate, Surrey, faces the most extensive list, including:
- Conspiracy to steal.
- Misconduct in public office.
- Money laundering (concealing, disguising, converting, transferring, or removing criminal property).
- Obtaining leave to enter or remain in the UK by deception.
- Three counts of possession of an identity document with improper intention.
Four other officers face three core charges each: conspiracy to steal, misconduct in public office, and money laundering. They are:
- Lee-Ann Evanson, 52, of Bracknell, Berkshire.
- John Bernthal, 53, of Welling, southeast London.
- Ben Edwardes, 45, of Bexleyheath, southeast London.
- Jack Mitchell, 33, of Dover, Kent.
The sixth defendant, David Grundy, 43, from Croydon, south London, is charged solely with money laundering in connection with the case.
Broader Implications and Next Steps
This case highlights the ongoing work of internal anti-corruption bodies within key government departments. The charges relate to individuals in positions of significant trust, tasked with enforcing the UK's immigration laws.
The forthcoming court proceedings in London will be closely watched, as they touch on issues of public integrity and the treatment of migrants. The January hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court will be the first step in the legal process for the six accused immigration officers.
