A former judo champion from Greenhithe has pleaded guilty to people smuggling after 18 Albanians were rescued from a sinking ship off the Kent coast in May.

Robert Stilwell, 33 of Stanley Close, known as Robbie, holds a judo black belt and has previously held European and Commonwealth titles.

His accomplice Mark Stribling, 35 of Hilltop Farm, Farningham, also pleaded guilty to breaching Section 25 of the Immigration Act 1971.

Under the act, the pair have been charged with conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration of a member state by attempting to breach immigration law for citizens not from the European Union, namely the 18 Albanians.

Both men were found on board the beleaguered inflatable boat on May 29 - a woman and two children were among the passengers.

Judge Philip St John-Stevens heard the duo’s guilty plea at Maidstone Crown Court by video link earlier today (June 27).

They were remanded in custody and will be sentenced on July 29.

Speaking outside the family’s home in Dartford at the time of his son’s arrest, Stilwell’s dad told the Telegraph: “I haven’t seen him for three or four days. He spends most of his time living in London with his girlfriend.

“He comes and goes occasionally and I don’t know what he gets up to. We are trying to work out what has gone on.”

At his London address a woman who claimed to be Stilwell’s girlfriend said: “I’ve not seen him since Wednesday – I’ve been in tears thinking something bad had happened to him.

“He used to do judo but he’s packed it in now.”