A YACHT skipper has admitted taking part in people smuggling after eight Albanians were rescued from his stranded boat in Teignmouth last month.

Jamie Wisbey pleaded guilty to an offence against the Immigration Act when he appeared at Exeter Crown Court by video link from the city’s prison.

He was the skipper of a 27-foot yacht which ran aground off Horse Cove, Teignmouth, on December 14, 2020.

A woman crew member who was arrested at the same time denied the same charge.

Wisbey, aged 54, of West Hoe, Plymouth, admitted conspiracy to breach the 1971 Immigration Act between March 1, 2020 and December 15, 2020 by knowingly transporting non European Union citizens to Britain.

Fay Miles, aged 38, of no fixed address, denied the same conspiracy and Judge Peter Johnson set a trial date for November 8 this year.

Both were remanded in custody.

Mr Jason Beal, defending, said Wisbey will be entering a basis of plea saying that his involvement was limited to the trip in December and there had been no previous attempts.

Devon and Cornwall Police said at the time of the incident: ‘The arrests by officers from the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit, supported by Border Force, the National Crime Agency, Devon and Cornwall Police, Immigration Enforcement and HM Coastguard, are part of an ongoing investigation into people smuggling.’