Channel Dinghy Pilot Jailed for Years

A South Sudanese teenager has been jailed for two years and three months after piloting a mega dinghy carrying 165 migrants across the English Channel, according to GB News reports. Chan Atak, 19, steered the overcrowded vessel on July 23.

Chan Atak, 19, was sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court after pleading guilty to endangering others during a journey by sea. The court heard that the 14-metre rigid-hulled inflatable boat was carrying 165 people, including 31 children with the youngest aged just 14.

Prosecutor James Harrison told the court that aerial footage captured Atak operating the boat for 90 minutes wearing a black jacket with an Italia logo. He was later seen crouching down among passengers and removing his jacket in an attempt to avoid detection as the helmsman.

The dangerous crossing featured severe safety risks, including two outboard engines where one was completely non-functioning and tubing that had started to deflate. The court was told the vessel lacked navigation gear, emergency signalling equipment, and firefighting apparatus, with fuel containers and batteries stored together.

Judge Condemns Dangerous Role

Sentencing the teenager, Judge Sarah Counsell stated that Atak played an important role in controlling and navigating the vessel.

Crossings of this nature are inherently dangerous. Small inflatable vessels of the type commonly used for these crossings are not designed for offshore sea voyages.

— Judge Sarah Counsell, Canterbury Crown Court

• Chan Atak, 19, sentenced to two years and three months
• Vessel carried 165 migrants, including 31 children
• Journey took place on July 23 across the English Channel
• Prosecution used aerial footage to prove Atak helmed the boat

The prosecution falls under tough new border security legislation designed to target small boat pilots and human traffickers operating across the waterway. Atak will serve his sentence in a UK prison following his guilty plea.

Original source: Read the full report at GB News