No further prosecution in cockle picking case

27/10/2010

The Crown Prosecution Service has today informed Lancashire Constabulary that a prosecution will not be required after a human skull was discovered in Morecambe Bay in July.

Strong forensic evidence indicates that the remains are almost certainly those of Liu Qin Ying, who was reported missing after the Morecambe Bay cockle pickers tragedy in February 2004.  Her husband Xu Yu Hua was one of the 21 workers whose bodies were found shortly afterwards.

Duncan Birrell, Crown Advocate from CPS Lancashire, the lawyer responsible for the prosecution of Lin Liang Ren, told Lancashire Constabulary his decision earlier today.  He said:  "I have now concluded that it is not in the public interest for Lin Liang Ren, the 'gang master' responsible for those who lost their lives that night, to be prosecuted again for manslaughter."

In March 2006 Lin Liang Ren was found guilty after a trial at Preston Crown Court of 21 counts of manslaughter, related immigration offences and perverting the course of justice.  He was sentenced to a total of 14 years imprisonment with recommendations that he be deported at the conclusion of his sentence.

Mr Birrell continued:  "When the police investigated the deaths of the cockle pickers, they knew that Xu Yu Hua was married and that his wife Liu Qin Ying was also working as part of the cockle picking team.  The fact that she was missing from that date led to the sad but inevitable conclusion that she too had perished with her husband that night. 

"I have to consider whether there should now be a further prosecution against Lin Liang Ren for her death.  In particular I have to decide if it is in the public interest.  

"Throughout the trial the prosecution explained to the court that the overall loss of life was greater than the 21 victims who had been found, as it was highly likely that two more cockle pickers had drowned.  In his sentencing the judge made it clear that he had considered the whole of Lin Liang Ren's criminal conduct in deciding how long he should spend in prison, and I have concluded that if Liu Qin Ying's body had been discovered before the trial the overall sentence would have not have been different.  I therefore have to conclude that it is not in the public interest to bring a further prosecution.

"For the family of Liu Qin Ying this discovery is very sad, as it is final confirmation of what they have no doubt known all along; that she too died with her husband in Morecambe Bay, thousands of miles from home, leaving a son of thirteen orphaned as a direct consequence of the greed and gross negligence of Lin Liang Ren."

Ends