An 18-year-old Afghan national has become the first person to be charged with endangerment of life during a small boat crossing since it became a specific offence on Monday ( 5 January _.
The teen was charged by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) with endangering the lives of others during a sea crossing while arriving in the UK without valid entry clearance. The alleged offence was committed on 5 January – the day the new offence came into force.
The case was referred to CPS Direct, the 24/7 out of hours service of the CPS, for a charging decision by the Home Office in the early minutes of Wednesday 7 January. By 3.30am the CPS prosecutor reviewed the evidence and decided it was in the public interest to authorise the charge.
His first hearing was today ( 7 January) at Thanet Magistrates’ Court in Margate. He pleaded not guilty.
He was remanded in custody and will appear at Canterbury Crown Court on February 9.
