Two men have been sentenced under a new UK law criminalizing endangering others during sea journeys, marking the first convictions under the legislation introduced earlier this year. Mohammad Tajik, 32, an Afghan national, and Alnour Ali, 26, from Sudan, received prison terms of two years and 27 months respectively at Canterbury crown court.

The charges stem from separate Channel crossings in overcrowded small boats, with Tajik’s offense occurring on January 17 and Ali’s on April 9. Both men were found to have piloted vessels ill-suited for the perilous journey across one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world, one during icy conditions and the other with 74 passengers onboard.

Judge Simon James emphasized the inherent dangers of navigating the Channel in such craft, noting the increased risk of death or serious injury when boats lack proper navigational equipment, are overcrowded, and passengers are not adequately equipped with safety gear. The judge described both vessels as severely overcrowded, with footage shown in court depicting passengers sitting unsafely and packed into every available space.

Tajik pleaded guilty to the charge in April and was identified by prosecutors as having no prior experience piloting boats. Evidence presented stated that he released control of the tiller at one point, leaving the boat uncontrolled. He told police he took the helm only to prevent the boat from circling. The court heard that Border Force intercepted the inflatable vessel mid-journey, with safety conditions made worse by the cold weather and lack of lifejackets. Tajik has claimed he fled Afghanistan after threats from the Taliban against his family.

Ali also admitted the offense and was captured in drone footage steering his heavily overcrowded boat while wearing a pink hat. During the crossing, French authorities approached and provided lifejackets to passengers, but Ali did not stop the boat. His defense counsel said he had been coerced to pilot the vessel by armed traffickers. The crossing coincided with a separate incident in which four migrants died at sea.

Both men have sought asylum in the UK following their arrests. Under the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act 2025, which created the offence, those sentenced to prison terms longer than 12 months are subject to automatic Home Office consideration for deportation. The government introduced the legislation to deter risky Channel crossings and enhance border security.