The driver, Maurice Robinson, also pleaded guilty to acquiring criminal property but was not asked to enter a plea on 41 other charges including 39 counts of manslaughter in a case which has shone a light on the illicit human smuggling trade.

The 31 men and eight women are believed to have paid people traffickers for their clandestine transit into England.

The victims -- 31 men and eight women -- are believed to have paid people traffickers for their clandestine transit into England.