LONDON, March 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese gangmaster Lin Liangren has been convicted of the manslaughter of 21 cocklers who were drowned in night tides in Morecambe Bay, in central Britain two years ago.

    The 29-year-old of Liverpool was found guilty by the Preston Crown Court of unlawfully killing a group of Chinese cocklers who were caught in fast incoming tides in Morecambe, Sky news reportedon Friday.

    The seven-month trial found that Lin Liangren was the mastermind behind a massive operation which had illegal Chinese immigrants aged between 18 and 45 scour beaches for cockle harvest.

    The prosecution proved it was his negligence which cost the lives of a total of 21 Chinese cocklers.

    Police believe 23 Chinese perished on the beach on Feb. 5, 2004,but only 21 bodies were recovered.

    Although Lin Liangren denied he was head of the cockle picking group, he was found guilty of facilitation, helping people breach immigration law.

    His girlfriend Zhao Xiaoqing, 21, of Liverpool, was also convicted of facilitation along with his cousin Lin Muyong, 31, from Liverpool.

    According to the judge, the Chinese could ultimately face deportation.

    Businessmen David Anthony Eden and his son David Anthony Eden were cleared of breaching immigration law by employing illegal immigrants in connection with the cockle pickers tragedy. Enditem