Migrant first to be convicted under new crossing law

Tajik Mohammad pleaded guilty to breaking the new law at Canterbury Crown Court, becoming the first person convicted under the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act. He will be sentenced on June 10, and reached the UK later the same day where he was arrested. The article notes that around 6,000 people have arrived in the UK by crossing the Channel so far this year.

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.

Tajik Mohammad, 32, piloted an overcrowded dinghy across the English Channel in poor weather. He abandoned the dinghy and its passengers when a rescue ship arrived, then reached the UK later the same day and was arrested.

A 16-year-old Afghan national, who cannot be named, was charged with endangering 46 people during a dinghy crossing and denied the charge at the hearing.

The act came into force in January, introducing the offence of endangering others during a sea crossing and outlining penalties for those who obstruct rescue or engage in aggression or intimidation.