Former Royal Marine charged with spying for China is discovered lifeless | EUROtoday

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A former Royal Marine who had been charged with spying for China has been discovered lifeless in a park.

Matthew Trickett, 37, of Maidenhead, Berkshire, who had been accused of helping the Hong Kong intelligence service and of overseas interference, was on bail after showing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court final week, alongside Chi Leung (Peter) Wai, 38, and Chung Biu Yuen, 63.

His physique was found in Grenfell Park, Maidenhead, at round 5.15pm on Sunday after a report from a member of the general public, Thames Valley Police stated on Tuesday night.

An investigation is ongoing into the demise, which is presently being handled as unexplained.

His household have been knowledgeable and they’re being supported by officers, with a autopsy examination to be performed sooner or later.

In an announcement, the household stated: “We’re mourning the loss of a much-loved son, brother and family man.”

Trickett’s solicitor Julian Hayes, senior accomplice at Berris Law, stated: “We are naturally shocked at this news and supporting his family as best we can.”

An area resident stated the favored park, which is positioned near Maidenhead railway station in Berkshire, was busy on Sunday.

Tatiana Dioniseva, 30, stated: “There were so many people here – there were children everywhere. It was a bit bizarre because it was sunny – there were children about and then a crime scene over there.”

A police cordon remained in place in Grenfell Park on Tuesday night, with a number of cops stationed subsequent to a black forensics tent erected within the centre, near a youngsters’s playground. More officers have been positioned at vantage factors and paths across the park.

Prosecutor Kashif Malik stated throughout final week’s listening to that Trickett had tried suicide after being charged, and had requested for the defendant to be remanded in custody for his personal welfare.

Trickett was previously employed by the UK Border Force at Heathrow airport, earlier than becoming a member of Home Office Immigration Enforcement on 21 February 2024, and was beforehand a Royal Commando within the marines for six years. He was additionally the director of MTR Consultancy, a safety agency fashioned in April 2021.

Mr Wai works as a Border Force officer at Heathrow airport and Mr Yuen is employed as a Hong Kong commerce official primarily based in London.

The expenses alleged that between 20 December 2023 and a pair of May 2024, Mr Yuen, Mr Wai and Trickett agreed to undertake data gathering, surveillance and acts of deception that have been prone to materially help a overseas intelligence service.

It can be alleged that on 1 May 2024 they compelled entry right into a UK residential deal with, being reckless as as to if the prohibited conduct, or course of conduct of which it types half, would have an interference impact.

They have been charged with the offences beneath the National Security Act following an investigation by the Met’s counterterrorism command that noticed a complete of 11 individuals arrested.

The trio had all been bailed and have been subsequent as a consequence of seem on the Old Bailey on Friday.

The UK Foreign Office summoned Chinese ambassador Zheng Zeguang to a gathering with senior officers final week over the rising row after instruction from the overseas secretary, David Cameron.

China’s London embassy reacted with fury to the fees, describing them as a “fabrication” and an “unwarranted accusation” towards Hong Kong.

A Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) spokesperson beforehand stated: “The FCDO was unequivocal in setting out that the recent pattern of behaviour directed by China against the UK including cyberattacks, reports of espionage links and the issuing of bounties is not acceptable.”

In March, the federal government accused China of conducting a cyber espionage marketing campaign towards politicians and the Electoral Commission.

China’s UK embassy spokesperson beforehand stated: “For some time now, the UK has staged a series of accusations against China, including those on ‘China spies’ and cyberattacks. All those accusations are groundless and slanderous.”

Following Trickett’s demise, a compulsory referral was made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct as he was usually registering at a police station whereas on bail, with the matter now handed to Thames Valley Police’s Professional Standards Department to research.