A Telford HGV driver who stood to pay £10,000 in stowaway penalties after five illegal immigrants were found in his vehicle has been let off by the Home Office.
BJ Waters Transport driver Jim Rushton insisted he had done all his checks before his truck passed through a heartbeat monitor in Calais in January.
However, five illegal immigrants were detected lying on their backs on top of his load.
Rushton described the news as brilliant and said the decision to overturn the fine was a weight off his shoulders.
He said: “The letter was worded ‘we will let you off this time, but next time you will be done’.
“It’s still not solving the problem. You don’t know where it’s safe to park in Europe. Even in Brussels they can get inside your lorry.
“Every time I’m in Calais my heart is in my mouth.”
Rushton paid tribute to his MP Lucy Allan, who put pressure on the Home Office to review his case.
