Two men have today become the first illegal migrants to be sentenced for putting the lives of others at risk during a channel crossing.

Afghan national Mohammad Tajik, 32, and Ali Alnour, 27, from Sudan were jailed for two years and two years and three months respectively at Canterbury Crown Court.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) charged them with endangering the lives of others during separate sea crossings from France. Endangerment became an offence on 5 January and so far 15 migrants are known to have been charged by the CPS.

Tajik arrived in the UK in January and Alnour arrived in April. Both men have been in custody since then.

The boat piloted by Mohammad Tajik had more than 70 people on board including a toddler and several children. When a Border Force rescue vessel approached, he let go of the tiller leading to the boat drifting around in circles. He later admitted paying €1,500 to a criminal gang for his crossing and knowing that he needed a visa to enter the UK.

The vessel piloted by Ali Alnour with 73 other people on board, contained no safety equipment such as a radio, flares, first aid kit, tube repair kit, paddles, lights, or navigation aids. He initially denied that the man in a pink beanie filmed piloting the boat was him but later admitted his guilt.

Sarah Dineley, the CPS lead on immigration crime, said:

“Mohammad Tajik and Ali Alnour were piloting inflatable boats across one of the busiest sea lanes in the world with no navigation system or means to call for help if they got into trouble.

“The international gangs who arrange these crossings have little regard for the safety of the paying passengers on board these overloaded boats. The photos of  peoples’ legs dangling off the sides of crowded boats show just how dangerous these crossings are.

“I’m pleased that we have the first endangerment sentences since the new law came into force earlier this year. We have more cases going through the courts and I anticipate there will be more convictions this year.

“I want to thank officers in Immigration Enforcement  and the National Crime Agency for their thorough investigations which helped us secure these convictions.

“The CPS continues to work with international partners to disrupt and dismantle organised crime groups, who are ultimately responsible for small boat crossings."

Steve Blackwell, Senior Criminal and Financial Investigation Officer, Immigration Enforcement, said:

“Those piloting these flimsy and unseaworthy vessels endanger everyone on board.

“The endangerment offence remains a critical tool in bringing those responsible to justice. Thanks to the work of my team, we have put these dangerous criminals behind bars and will continue our relentless efforts to investigate, detain and arrest the pilots and smugglers behind these dangerous Channel crossings.”

Craig Turner, Deputy Director, National Crime Agency, said: 

“Combating the threat posed by the networks involved in organised immigration crime is one of our biggest priorities, and we currently have more than 100 investigations ongoing.

“Ali Alnour piloted a dangerous boat that had more than 70 people on it.

“In interview, he denied being the pilot and claimed he had sat in the middle of the boat. The strength of the NCA case ensured that he admitted his role and pleaded guilty.”  

Mike Tapp, Minister for Migration and Citizenship, said:

“This government is delivering a direct blow to the small boat gangs by tracking down and jailing their pilots.

“We are using every lever at our disposal to make sure the vile criminals who bring illegal migrants to our shores face justice. Disruptions to smuggling activity including arrests, convictions and seizures is up by nearly 50% and we won’t stop here.”