19-year-old jailed over dangerous channel crossing with 165 migrants

A 19-year-old South Sudanese national has been sentenced to two years and three months in prison after admitting that he endangered the lives of 165 migrants while piloting an overcrowded boat across the English Channel.

Chan Mathok Atak was sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court on September 18 after pleading guilty to endangering others during a sea crossing on July 23. At the time, the vessel carried the largest number of people ever recorded on a migrant boat crossing the Channel, although that record has since been surpassed.

Prosecutors told the court that the inflatable vessel was approximately 14 metres long, roughly the length of a standard bus, and was carrying 165 people, including 31 children, with the youngest aged 14.

The journey became particularly dangerous because the vessel was severely overcrowded and began deflating during the crossing. It had two outboard engines, but one was not functioning. The boat also had inadequate life jackets and limited supplies of food, drinking water and medication, according to the National Crime Agency.

Authorities said the vessel spent almost 24 hours at sea before it was intercepted by UK Border Force vessels. There were also concerns about the lack of navigation and emergency equipment, while batteries positioned close to fuel containers created a significant fire risk.

Prosecutor James Harrison said Atak was captured in aerial footage operating the boat for around 90 minutes. Shortly before the vessel was intercepted, he moved away from the engine and removed his jacket, which prosecutors said appeared to be an attempt to avoid being identified as the helmsman.

Atak had previously said he paid €200 to a gang for the crossing and denied initially that he was the pilot. He ultimately pleaded guilty to the charge.

Judge Sarah Counsell said the offence was serious enough to warrant an immediate prison sentence. As a foreign national, Atak was also warned that he was liable in principle for automatic deportation after completing his sentence.

His defence lawyer argued that Atak had no role in deciding how many people were placed on the boat or in determining its condition and safety equipment. She also described his difficult background and said he had fled violence in South Sudan.

The case comes as UK authorities continue targeting dangerous Channel crossings and those accused of piloting overcrowded boats. The offence of endangering others during a sea crossing was introduced in the UK earlier this year.