Chan Mathok Atak jailed over Channel boat with 165 migrants

At Canterbury Crown Court on Friday, Judge Sarah Counsell said the offence was so serious “only an immediate custodial sentence can be justified”.

She warned Atak that as a foreign national he was liable in principle to automatic deportation once he completed his sentence.

James Harrison, prosecuting, told the court the boat Atak was piloting was 12.8ft (3.9m) wide and 46.9ft (14.3m) long, a similar length to a standard bus.

The boat had travelled between Calais and the UK and was deflating when it was picked up by border force vessels.

The dinghy, which had 31 children on board with the youngest aged 14, had two outboard engines but one was not working, the court heard.

Additional reporting from PA Media.

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