‘I was forced to do so’ – alleged Channel small boat pilot tells court

A teenager has denied endangering 46 people during a small boat Channel crossing to the UK, telling a court: “I was forced to do so.”

Aman Naseri, 18, an 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, Naseri appeared wearing a black coat and spoke to confirm his name, date of birth and plead not guilty.

Naseri 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 Mr Naseri 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.”

Naseri was remanded in custody and will appear at Canterbury Crown Court on February 9.

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.

According to the Home Office, the offence is designed to stop more people being crammed into unsafe boats and would apply to those involved in physical aggression and intimidation, as well as anyone who resists rescue.

When the plans for the new laws were first announced last January, Home Office sources said there had been instances of “floating crime scenes” where people had acted in such a reckless way people died on board in crushes and drownings.

The new charge could include physical or psychological injury, and covers journeys by water to the UK from France, Belgium and the Netherlands.

Under the offence, those who endanger or risk another life at sea could face up to five years in prison, or up to six years if they are in breach of a deportation order.

The law has also introduced new powers for enforcement agencies to crack down on people smuggling gangs, including to seize mobile phones and sim cards from migrants without arresting them from Monday to gather intelligence.