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A Western Isles fishing boat skipper is to stand trial over allegations of human trafficking.

 

Alexander Murray, the owner of the MFV Astra III, denies he took three Ghanaian nationals into the UK for exploitation.

 

It is alleged 49-year-old of 12 Upper Bayble, Point, Lewis, arranged for two of them to come into the country in the autumn of 2013.

 

The third arrived in the spring of last year, it is claimed.

 

Murray is also charged with allegedly arranging travel for the three people within UK territorial seas and in international waters with the intent to exploit them.

 

He is also accused of permitting people to go to sea on his fishing vessel without approved training.

 

Murray faces a charge over the safety of his Stornoway-based trawler related to failing to have a working gas alarm and carbon dioxide alarm and defective fuel shut-off valves.

 

The fire detection system and the fire alarm siren was not functioning, it is claimed.

 

It is also maintained the emergency escape from the crew’s cabin was obstructed and the toilet was broken.

 

In addition, it includes a claim that the vessel had not undergone a survey following a major refit where the main engine was replaced.

 

Murray denies all the charges.

 

The jury trial - presently expected to take place in August - is set to be the biggest ever held in the Western Isles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trawler skipper faces trial over human trafficking charges

 

20 June 2015