Eritrean man living in Bradford charged over illegal small boat crossing
He has been charged with “conspiring to facilitate the commission of a breach of UK immigration law by a non UK national”
AN Eritrean man currently living in Bradford has appeared in court charged with piloting a small boat illegally across the English Channel.
Idris Abdu has been charged with “conspiring to facilitate the commission of a breach of UK immigration law by a non UK national” in relation to a Channel crossing in May 2025.
He appeared at Bradford and Keighley Magistrates Court on Friday afternoon, and was told his case was so serious it could only be dealt with by the Crown Court.
The Home Office is the prosecutor behind the case, which will next be heard in Bradford Crown Court on June 17.
He faces two charges :
Conspiracy to do an act to facilitate the commission of a breach of UK immigration law by a non UK national:
On 13/05/2025 at UK Territorial Waters conspired to do an act, namely the act facilitated the commission of a breach of immigration law by those persons, and those persons are not nationals of the United Kingdom, which facilitated the commission of a breach of immigration law, namely piloting a RHIB (Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat) / dinghy / boat containing Idris Abdu – persons who were not nationals of the United Kingdom, knowing or having reasonable cause for believing that they were not a national of the United Kingdom.
Arrive in UK without a valid entry clearance:
On 13/05/2025 at Dover, UK, being a person who required entry clearance under the immigration rules, knowingly arrived in the United Kingdom without a valid entry clearance.
At Friday’s brief hearing Abdu was asked his name and address. He gave his address as Bradford. The court clerk said his paperwork listed his address as being the Bradford Hotel. Abdu replied “Yes, exactly.”
Paul Ramsey, prosecuting, told the court that the first offence was so serious it could only be heard in Crown Court. He said: “He is accused of piloting a small boat that travelled from France to the UK. There is a further charge of arriving in the UK without valid entry clearance.”
Miss Steward, defending Abdu, said he would require an interpreter at his next appearance, either Tigrinya or Afar. She said: “He has some English language skills, but not enough to engage with criminal proceedings without the help of an interpreter.”
Deputy District Judge Hayles granted Abdu unconditional bail – pointing out he had attended court on time on Friday and adding: “There is no suggestion you won’t attend your next hearing.”