"I was forced to do so" – alleged Channel small boat pilot tells court
It follows the first crossing of 2026
A teenage boy has denied endangering 46 people during a small boat Channel crossing to the UK, telling a court: “I was forced to do so.”
The 16-year-old Afghan national was charged with endangering others during a sea crossing to the UK without a valid entry clearance – the first alleged offence of its kind since it became law on January 5.
At Margate Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, the boy appeared wearing a black coat and spoke to confirm his name, date of birth and plead not guilty.
He is accused of piloting a small boat with 46 people on board on January 5 this year, the first Channel crossing of 2026.
Speaking through a Dari interpreter, he said: “I plead not guilty, I was forced to do so.”
“We submit (the boy) has piloted a boat across the Channel. There were 46 other people on that boat and that by piloting the boat he put them in danger,” said Julie Farbrace, prosecuting.
District Judge Archie Mackay later added: “The harm that was risked was potential fatalities.”
The boy was remanded in custody and will appear at Canterbury Crown Court.
The new offence of endangering others during a sea crossing is part of a range of measures introduced to curb Channel crossings which came into force under the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act which became law in December.