An Eritrean national has been jailed for 18 months for controlling a small boat carrying 26 other people, including six children, across the English Channel.
Jamel Abdela, 32, was sentenced at Winchester Crown Court after pleading guilty to the offence of endangering others during an illegal sea crossing to the UK without valid entry clearance on July 25.
Matthew Parris, prosecuting, told the court that the defendant was seen piloting the large black inflatable boat which had a total of 15 men, six women and six children on board and was being followed by a French Rib.
He said that as immigration officers
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