Former Soldier With Gambling Debts Jailed For Smuggling Migrants

Lance Corporal Kyle Harris arriving at Maidstone Crown Court (Picture: PA).

A former soldier "desperate" for money joined a ring of migrant smugglers so he could pay off gambling debts prompted by the horror of seeing his best friend killed in action, a court has heard. 

Lance Corporal Kyle Harris was jailed for three years for his role in the ring which saw him earn £5,000 a time for smuggling Kurdish asylum seekers into the UK from Calais. 

He served with the Princess of Wales' Regiment, completing two tours of Afghanistan before moving to the Barker Barracks in Paderborn, Germany.

While on leave, he would travel home hiding migrants in the boot of his car, Maidstone Crown Court heard. 

The court also heard how 30-year-old Harris battled post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after seeing his best friend blown up by a bomb.

Private Thomas Lake died in 2011 while Harris served his second tour of Afghanistan. 

Defence barrister Isabelle Gillard said Harris was trusted with "significant roles above his rank" and had an "exemplary disciplinary record", including several "significant achievements" which led to him winning medals for his work.

Ms Gillard said after Private Lake's death, Harris became withdrawn and was "struggling with demons", having nightmares and experiencing insomnia.

She added that the Army was "his life" and that "the events that day led directly in a downward spiral to him committing these offences". 

Harris was put on anti-depressants but given "very little assistance" by the Army mental health team so turned to drink, drugs and then became addicted to gambling using the base camp wifi late at night, racking up debts of £30,000 and so was "desperate for money".

Judge Adele Williams gave him credit for pleading guilty to conspiracy to assist in unlawful immigration and money laundering - reducing his sentence to a total of three years in light of his personal circumstances.

She said: "You have served your country and suffered PTSD as a result of your service and witnessed the death of your best friend."

Harris brought three people into the country to Nottingham, Peterborough and Banbury during several trips in April after arranging the details over text.

Harris was arrested in May 2016 when an Iraqi and a Syrian migrant were found in the back of his car by border officials and was handed a suspended 21-month prison sentence after admitting the single offence.

He was dishonourably discharged from the Army and has since found work as a Surrey pub chain manager.

But he never volunteered any further information about the wider conspiracy and the court previously heard claims he boasted at the base about his escapades.

Two other men were also sentenced.