16. Arrested for Smuggling a 4-year-old Afghan Girl into the UK: The Story of Ex-soldier Rob Lawrie

Kicking off the season today I’m joined by a guest who’s name might be familiar to you. Rob Lawrie is an ex-soldier turned volunteer from the north of England who made international headlines when he was caught smuggling a 4 year old girl from the Calais Jungle refugee camp in France, across the border and into the UK.

Rob’s actions saw him facing years in a French prison, with some branding him a criminal; but others saw him as a hero, and his crime, a crime of compassion. For those of us volunteering in Calais at the time, it posed the question, would we do the same?

As you listen to this episode, I imagine you’ll be asking yourself a similar question.

But Rob’s story didn’t end with the judge’s verdict. His relationship with this little girl’s family has gone on to take many more unexpected twists and turns over the years. This episode is full of tension, surprise and mixed emotions...have a listen!

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