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Migrant first to be convicted under new crossing law
TL;DR
An Afghan migrant, Tajik Mohammad, is the first to be convicted under a new UK law for endangering others during a sea crossing. He pleaded guilty after sailing an overcrowded dinghy in poor weather conditions across the English Channel.
Key points
- Tajik Mohammad is the first convicted under a new UK crossing law
- He sailed an overcrowded dinghy across the English Channel
- Passengers were not wearing life jackets during the crossing
- He pleaded guilty at Canterbury Crown Court
- Sentencing is set for 10 June
Mentioned in this story
Tajik MohammadUKEnglish Channel
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 sailing an overcrowded dinghy across the English Channel in poor weather conditions on 17 January.
Some of the passengers were also not wearing life jackets.
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.
Some 6,000 people have arrived in the UK after crossing the Channel by inflatable dinghy so far this year.
Additional reporting from PA Media.
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Q&A
What new law did Tajik Mohammad violate while crossing the English Channel?
Tajik Mohammad violated a new UK law that came into force in January, which penalizes individuals for endangering others during illegal crossings.
What were the circumstances of the sea crossing that led to Mohammad's conviction?
Mohammad was sailing an overcrowded dinghy in poor weather conditions, with some passengers not wearing life jackets, when he was convicted.
When will Tajik Mohammad be sentenced for his conviction?
Tajik Mohammad is scheduled to be sentenced on 10 June.
