A 35-year-old man from a village east of Biggleswade has denied a charge related to human trafficking after a speed boat was intercepted on a beach.

The Comet: A speed boat was intercepted on Walmer Beach in Kent on August 3. Picture: Google Street ViewA speed boat was intercepted on Walmer Beach in Kent on August 3. Picture: Google Street View (Image: Archant)

Thomas Mason, of High Street in Eyeworth, pleaded not guilty at St Albans Crown Court yesterday after being charged with conspiracy to facilitate a breach of immigration law.

Mr Mason was arrested alongside Nazmi Velia, 31, of Park Street Lane in St Albans, and Egert Kajici, 34, of Turner Drive in Oxford, after a boat was stopped in Walmer, Kent, on August 3 during a joint operation between the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit and Border Force.

Both Mr Velia and Mr Kajici were charged with the same offence, and also pleaded not guilty yesterday.

All three men were remanded in custody after bail was refused by Judge Philip Grey.

A date for the trial has been set for January 28, 2019.