A Sudanese man has been sentenced to two years in prison for piloting an overcrowded migrant boat across the English Channel. Bol Chuol, 27, was identified as the pilot of the vessel by the distinctive Christmas jumper he was wearing when it was intercepted off the coast of Kent on March 22.
The boat was carrying 71 people, including an 11-month-old toddler, and was so overcrowded that some passengers' feet were dangling in the sea. Prosecutors stated that not everyone was wearing a lifejacket, water was entering the boat, and there were no lights to make it visible.
As the dinghy approached the British coast, Chuol was observed on drone footage discarding his coat and moving towards the rear of the boat in an attempt to evade detection. However, immigration enforcement officers later identified him from the festive jumper he had been filmed wearing.
Chuol pleaded guilty to endangering the lives of others by piloting a small boat and was sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) confirmed the conviction.
In a separate incident, Charun Magok, 19, was sentenced to 16 months in prison at the same court. Magok piloted a boat on March 20 that was designed for five people but had six individuals on board. He later informed immigration officials that he lacked piloting experience and acknowledged the dangers of crossing the Channel.
Under new border security legislation, endangering others during a sea journey to the UK is an offense that came into force in January. Prosecutor Andrew Stephens noted that the inflatable boats used by Chuol and Magok were dangerously unsuitable for crossing the Channel and that it was fortunate no one was seriously injured or died. Stephens added that any asylum application from the convicted individuals would take their convictions into account.