LONDON: An Egyptian people-smuggler who took selfies on an inflatable dinghy he piloted across the English Channel with 50 people on board has been imprisoned in the UK, Metro reported.
Reda Hamoud Abdurabou crossed into Britain in July last year, but was intercepted by Border Force agents and arrested.
The 25-year-old was jailed for three years and two months at Salisbury Crown Court for assisting unlawful immigration and attempting to enter the UK illegally.
Chris Foster, deputy director of criminal and financial investigations at the UK Home Office, said: “This defendant gloated as he risked dozens of lives by crossing the Channel illegally.”
After his arrest, the Egyptian’s mobile phone was confiscated, with authorities discovering images and text messages on the device laying out smuggling plans.
Some of the photos show Abdurabou’s migrant passengers hanging on the edge of the dinghy or sitting on the floor of the boat.
UK Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick said: “This pilot brazenly tried to flout our laws, and has rightly been brought to justice today.
“Putting lives at risk by steering men, women and children across the Channel in flimsy dinghies will not be tolerated and we will continue to work relentlessly to stop these completely unnecessary crossings and ensure those responsible are put behind bars.”
