The lorry driver accused over the deaths of 39 migrants found dead in a trailer in Essex has pleaded guilty to plotting to assist illegal immigration.

Maurice Robinson, 25, who was allegedly part of a global smuggling ring, is charged with the manslaughter of a group of men, women and children found dead inside a refrigerated trailer.

The bodies of eight females and 31 males were discovered in the trailer attached to his cab in an industrial park in Grays, Essex, early on 23 October.

The victims were later identified as coming from various parts of Vietnam, with the youngest being two boys aged 15.

Mr Robinson appeared at the Old Bailey via video link from Belmarsh prison for a plea hearing on Monday.

39 bodies found in lorry container in Essex Show all 15 1 /15 39 bodies found in lorry container in Essex 39 bodies found in lorry container in Essex Thirty-nine bodies have been found in a lorry container in Essex, police have said PA 39 bodies found in lorry container in Essex The discovery of 38 adults and one teenager was made at an industrial estate in Thurrock Reuter TV 39 bodies found in lorry container in Essex Police said they believed the lorry had come from Bulgaria and entered the UK at Holyhead, in Wales, on Saturday. Getty 39 bodies found in lorry container in Essex Essex Police said it had launched a murder investigation after its officers were called to Waterglade Industrial Park, in Grays, in the early hours of Wednesday morning Reuter TV 39 bodies found in lorry container in Essex A 25-year-old-man from Northern Ireland has been arrested on suspicion of murder PA 39 bodies found in lorry container in Essex In a statement, Chief Superintendent Andrew Mariner said: “This is a tragic incident where a large number of people have lost their lives. Our enquiries are ongoing to establish what has happened. “We are in the process of identifying the victims, however I anticipate that this could be a lengthy process. Reuter TV 39 bodies found in lorry container in Essex THURROCK, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 23: Police stand near the site where 39 bodies were discovered in the back of a lorry on October 23, 2019 in Thurrock, England. The lorry was discovered early Wednesday morning in Waterglade Industrial Park on Eastern Avenue in the town of Grays. Authorities said they believed the lorry originated in Bulgaria and entered the country at Holyhead on October 19. The suspected driver was arrested in connection with the investigation. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images) Leon Neal Getty 39 bodies found in lorry container in Essex THURROCK, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 23: A Police forensic investigation team are parked near the site where 39 bodies were discovered in the back of a lorry on October 23, 2019 in Thurrock, England. The lorry was discovered early Wednesday morning in Waterglade Industrial Park on Eastern Avenue in the town of Grays. Authorities said they believed the lorry originated in Bulgaria and entered the country at Holyhead on October 19. The suspected driver was arrested in connection with the investigation. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images) Leon Neal Getty 39 bodies found in lorry container in Essex Police activity at the Waterglade Industrial Park in Grays, Essex, after 39 bodies were found inside a lorry container on the industrial estate. PA Photo. Picture date: Wednesday October 23, 2019. Early indications suggest there 38 are adults and one teenager, police said. The lorry is from Bulgaria and entered the country at Holyhead, North Wales, one of the main port for ferries from Ireland. See PA story POLICE Container. Photo credit should read: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire Stefan Rousseau PA 39 bodies found in lorry container in Essex THURROCK, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 23: A Police forensic investigation team are parked near the site where 39 bodies were discovered in the back of a lorry on October 23, 2019 in Thurrock, England. The lorry was discovered early Wednesday morning in Waterglade Industrial Park on Eastern Avenue in the town of Grays. Authorities said they believed the lorry originated in Bulgaria and entered the country at Holyhead on October 19. The suspected driver was arrested in connection with the investigation. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images) Leon Neal Getty 39 bodies found in lorry container in Essex Thurrock deaths: 39 bodies found in lorry container in Essex Reuter TV Reuter TV 39 bodies found in lorry container in Essex Police activity at the Waterglade Industrial Park in Grays, Essex, after 39 bodies were found inside a lorry container on the industrial estate. PA Photo. Picture date: Wednesday October 23, 2019. Early indications suggest there 38 are adults and one teenager, police said. The lorry is from Bulgaria and entered the country at Holyhead, North Wales, one of the main port for ferries from Ireland. See PA story POLICE Container. Photo credit should read: Aaron Chown/PA Wire Aaron Chown PA 39 bodies found in lorry container in Essex Police cordon at the road leading to the Waterglade Industrial Park in Grays, Essex, after 39 bodies were found inside a lorry container on the industrial estate. PA Photo. Picture date: Wednesday October 23, 2019. Early indications suggest there 38 are adults and one teenager, police said. The lorry is from Bulgaria and entered the country at Holyhead, North Wales, one of the main port for ferries from Ireland. See PA story POLICE Container. Photo credit should read: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire Stefan Rousseau PA 39 bodies found in lorry container in Essex Police officers are seen at the scene where bodies were discovered in a lorry container, in Grays, Essex, Britain October 23, 2019. REUTERS/Hannah McKay HANNAH MCKAY Reuters 39 bodies found in lorry container in Essex Police officers are seen at the scene where bodies were discovered in a lorry container, in Grays, Essex, Britain October 23, 2019. REUTERS/Hannah McKay HANNAH MCKAY Reuters

During the hearing before Mr Justice Edis, he admitted conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration between 1 May, 2018, and 24 October, 2019.

The charge states that he plotted with others to do “an act or series of acts which facilitated the commission of a breach of immigration law by various persons”.

He also admitted acquiring criminal property – namely money – on the same dates.

The defendant, from Craigavon, Northern Ireland, was not asked to enter pleas to other charges, including 39 counts of manslaughter.

He is charged with conspiracy to commit human trafficking offences between 1 May, 2018 and 24 October, 2019.

The details of that charge state that he “arranged or facilitated the travel of other persons into the UK with a view to their being exploited”.

He is also charged with transferring criminal property.

The defendant was remanded into custody until a further hearing on 13 December.

Another suspect is due to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on Monday charged with human trafficking offences.

Irish national Christopher Kennedy, 23, was arrested in Buckinghamshire on Friday.

It came after it emerged a teenager who was among the 39 people found dead had gone missing from an asylum centre in the Netherlands.