First Conviction Under New UK Law: Afghan Migrant Guilty of Endangering Channel Crossers

An Afghan migrant has become the first person to be convicted of endangering others during a sea crossing to the UK. Tajik Mohammad, 32, had been piloting an overcrowded dinghy across the English Channel in poor weather conditions on 17 January. Appearing at Canterbury Crown Court on Tuesday, he pleaded guilty to breaking the new law, which came into force in January, and will be sentenced on 10 June. Mohammad abandoned the dinghy and its passengers when a rescue ship arrived, the Crown Prosecution Service said. He reached the UK later the same day, where he was arrested. Under the recent Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act, the charge of endangering others during a sea crossing is to stop more people being crammed into unsafe boats. It also applies to those involved in physical aggression and intimidation, as well as anyone who resists rescue. It comes after Home Office sources recounted instances of "floating crime scenes" where people had acted in such a reckless way that those on board died in crushes and drownings. Those who commit the offence could face up to five years in prison, or up to six years if they are in breach of a deportation order. A 16-year-old Afghan national was the first person to be charged with the offence in January. The boy, who cannot be named, has denied endangering 46 people on January 5, telling a court hearing he was "forced to do so". Earlier this month, another alleged dinghy pilot appeared in court over the deaths of four migrants. Sudanese national Alnour Mohamed Ali, 27, appeared before Folkestone Magistrates' Court charged with endangering life, after two men and two women died trying to board a boat on April 9.