Chinese gangmaster Lin Liang Ren has been found guilty of the manslaughter of 21 cocklers at Morecambe Bay in 2004.

The victims, all illegal Chinese immigrants, drowned when the tide turned. Ren, 29, of Liverpool, brought them to the UK, with the help of his girlfriend, 21-year old Zhao Xiao Qing. Preston Crown Court found her guilty of facilitation, helping people to breach immigration law. It also found Ren’s cousin, Lin Mu Yong, 31, guilty of the same offence.

The court cleared English father and son - both named David Anthony Eden - of the same charge.

Ren had denied responsibility and said the head of the operation had also drowned. Those found guilty will be sentenced on Tuesday.

The Recruitment and Employment Confederation, which represents recruitment agencies in the UK said it was pleased by today’s judgment “as it sends a clear warning to rogue operators that their behaviour will not be tolerated”.

It said operators like this “give recruitment a bad name”.

The tragedy has led to a tightening in the law. By October, gangmasters will be required to have a licence.