A 31-year-old man from South Sudan, Choul Phan Maker, has been sentenced to 20 months in jail for his involvement in smuggling over 50 migrants across the perilous waters of the English Channel. Winchester Crown Court handed down the sentence after Maker was found guilty of unlawful arrival and assisting unlawful immigration. His actions, piloting an overcrowded dinghy towards UK shores last August, put the lives of 52 passengers in grave danger. Maker, previously ordered to leave France, embarked on this treacherous journey after spending over three years in Europe. His arrest came after Border Force officials photographed him steering the boat with a brazen grin. Investigations by Criminal and Financial Investigation officers led to Maker’s admission of piloting the vessel, revealing his affiliation with the criminal gang facilitating the illegal crossings.
Steve Blackwell, deputy director of Criminal and Financial Investigations at the Home Office, emphasized the severity of Maker’s actions and praised the swift action of investigating officers. The Home Office noted a decrease in small boat crossings to the UK but highlighted a concerning rise in arrivals into Europe from Africa. Illegal migration minister Michael Tomlinson condemned the criminal gangs orchestrating these crossings and emphasized the need to tackle both the smugglers and those willing to risk their lives for illegal passage. Maker’s sentencing serves as a stark reminder of the dangers associated with illegal migration and the relentless efforts to combat it.
