The first convictions under the United Kingdom’s new offence for endangering lives during Channel crossings have been handed down at Canterbury Crown Court.
Afghan national Mohammad Tajik, 32, was sentenced to two years in prison for abandoning an overcrowded dinghy on 17 January. In a separate case, Sudanese national Alnour Ali, 26, received a two-year and three-month jail term for a crossing on 9 April.
Tajik was operating a dinghy across the English Channel when he left passengers stranded upon the arrival of a rescue ship. The boat was overcrowded, and many on board did not have life jackets amid poor weather conditions. Prosecutor Daniel Bunting revealed that Tajik lacked boating knowledge and had relied on YouTube videos for guidance.
During the trial, the court presented drone footage showing Ali steering a dinghy carrying 74 people. Passengers were dangerously straddling the side of the craft, with some legs in the water, while a French boat distributed life jackets. Ali had the opportunity to stop the risky voyage but continued under pressure from armed traffickers.
Judge Simon James highlighted the dangers of navigating busy shipping lanes in vessels not designed for such journeys. He noted the increased risks caused by overcrowding, lack of safety equipment, and absence of navigation aids.
Ali, originally from Darfur, Sudan, was ordered to pilot the boat by traffickers and had fled conflict in his home country. Tajik fled Afghanistan after witnessing family members killed by the Taliban and sought asylum in the UK following a refusal in Greece. Both men have submitted asylum claims in the United Kingdom.
The new offence of endangering others by sea to the UK came into effect in January 2026 under border security laws. It carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, increasing to six years for breaches of deportation orders. The law covers offences including overcrowding, causing physical or psychological harm, and resisting rescue during journeys from France, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
Originally published by UKNIP.
