Ex-Royal Marine & Border Force officer found dead in park after charged with ‘spying on Hong Kong dissidents’

AN ex-Royal Marine awaiting trial accused of spying on Hong Kong dissidents has been found dead in a park.

Matthew Trickett, 37, who fought the Taliban and Somali pirates, appeared in court last week.

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The Home Office Immigration Enforcement officer was facing two charges under the National Security Act 2023.

He was due to appear alongside co-defendants Chung Biu Yuen and Chi Leung Wai at the Old Bailey on May 24.

Thames Valley Police have now confirmed he was found dead in Grenfell Park, in Maidenhead, Berks, on Sunday afternoon.

In a statement, Matthew's family said: "We are mourning the loss of a much-loved son, brother, and family member."

Matthew had been on bail subject to stringent conditions and his death is being treated as "unexplained".

A Thames Valley Police spokesperson said: "An investigation is ongoing into the death, which is currently being treated as unexplained.

"Thames Valley Police is investigating an unexplained death in Maidenhead.

"Formal identification has taken place and we can confirm the man is Matthew Trickett, aged 37, from Maidenhead.

"His family have been informed and they are being supported by officers."

Eight men and a woman were arrested by officers on May 1 in the Yorkshire area, before a man was arrested in London and another man was arrested in the Yorkshire area the following day.

The Met said seven men and one woman were released from custody on or before May 10.

Matthew served in the Marines between 2007 and 2013 but was working as an immigration enforcement officer and private investigator.

Chi Leung Wai, 38, also known as Peter Wai, is a UK Border Force officer - based at London Heathrow Airport - and a City of London Police Special Constable.

Retired police officer Yuen, also known as Billy Yuen, is an office manager of Hong Kong's economic and trade office in London.

The trio were charged following an investigation involving the Met's Counter Terrorism Command along with the North East and South East Counter Terrorism Policing Units.

Prosecutor Mr Kashif Malik emphasised this is "not a terrorism case" when the group appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court last Monday.

Matthew, alongside Yuen and Wait, had been subject to stringent bail conditions including residence, curfews between 10pm-5am and reporting at relevant police stations.

They also had to surrender their passports, not apply or be in possession of any international travel documents or enter any international travel hubs.