Jimmy Marku on trial for bringing in 17 Albanians on a catamaran

Jimmy Marku. Picture: Munsterbusiness.ie from Wikimedia Commons

A bodybuilder from Ealing who was a former winner of Britain's Strongest Man is being accused of being part of a people smuggling ring that brought in illegal immigrants from France on a catamaran.

44-year-old Jimmy Marku won the strongest man title back in 2008 despite having been in a car crash the day before the contest. He remains a well-known personality within the bodybuilding community.

He is standing trial at Isleworth Crown Court along with his younger brother Jetmir and 39-year-old Alex Sefolli to answer charges of bringing 17 Albanians across the channel. They were found on board the vessel without visas when it was boarded by police officers at Chichester Marina in May 2016.

The Marku brothers also face charges of providing housing for illegal immigrants in their home in Ealing between 2014 and 2017.

All the accused men deny the char facilitating unlawful migration and conspiracy to facilitate unlawful migration.

The trial continues.

June 5, 2019