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Small boat pilots jailed for endangering desperate migrants in Channel crossings
Two pilots were jailed after steering overcrowded dinghies, with one boat carrying 74 people and no safety equipment, prosecutors said.
- Afghan national Mohammad Tajik and Sudanese national Alnour Ali became the first people sentenced under a new endangerment law at Canterbury Crown Court on Wednesday, receiving two years and 27 months in prison respectively for piloting overcrowded Channel crossing boats.
- The Border, Security, Asylum and Immigration Act criminalized endangering others during sea journeys when it came into force earlier this year. Judge Simon James noted, "The inherent dangers of seeking to navigate one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world... are obvious."
- Prosecutor Daniel Bunting stated Tajik had no piloting experience and asked others to look on YouTube for assistance while steering. Court footage showed the boat was "overcrowded with people sitting around the edge which did not appear to be a safe way of travelling."
- Barrister Paul Hogben argued Ali was forced to steer by armed traffickers during his journey carrying 74 passengers. Judge James clarified Ali is not being sentenced for deaths occurring that day, calling the suggestion "misinformation."
- Both men have submitted asylum claims since their arrest, with Tajik fleeing the Taliban in Afghanistan and Ali escaping civil war in Darfur. Their convictions mark the first under legislation designed to deter small-boat pilots.
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14 Articles
14 Articles
Evening Standard+2 Reposted by 2 other sources
First small boat pilots jailed for endangering others in Channel
Endangering others during a journey by sea to the UK is an offence that came into force in January.
·London, United Kingdom
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources14
Leaning Left3Leaning Right3Center7Last UpdatedBias Distribution54% Center
Bias Distribution
- 54% of the sources are Center
54% Center
L 23%
C 54%
R 23%
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