A Chinese gangmaster was sentenced on Tuesday to 14 years in prison over the drowning of 23 cockle pickers in Britain two years ago.

Lin Liangren, 29, was convicted at Preston Crown Court in northwest England of 21 counts of manslaughter relating to the 23 cocklers who drowned in rising tides at Morecambe Bay on Feb. 5, 2004.

He was also found guilty of facilitating illegal immigration and perverting the course of justice after a seven-month trial.

Police believed that 23 illegal Chinese immigrants aged 18 to 45 had died, although two bodies were still missing.

Lin's girlfriend Zhao Xiaoqing, 22, was jailed for two years and nine months for perverting the course of justice and helping illegal immigrants break the law.

His 31-year-old cousin Lin Muyong was sentenced to a total of four years and nine months in prison.

Insiders believe that Zhao Xiaoqing and Lin Muyong may face deportation.

Source: Xinhua