Teenager denies piloting dinghy carrying 167 people across Channel
A teenager has denied piloting a dinghy with 167 people on board across the English Channel, a court has heard.
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Chan Mathok Atak, from South Sudan, is charged with endangering another during a journey by sea to the UK after a crossing on Thursday.
The 19-year-old appeared at Margate Magistrates’ Court on Monday for a short hearing, aided by an Arabic interpreter.
Prosecutor Lucie Fish told the court on July 23 a rigid hulled inflatable boat departed the French coast headed towards Dover carrying 167 migrants.
The vessel was intercepted by Border Force and Atak is alleged as one of two pilots controlling the speed and travel of the boat, she told the court.
The boat was poor quality, overcrowded and “appeared to be deflating upon interception”, the prosecutor added.
When asked if he wanted to enter a plea to the charge, Atak told the court: “I wasn’t the pilot.”
District Judge William Nelson remanded the defendant into custody to next appear at Canterbury Crown Court on August 24.
It is understood no other person is being charged in relation to this incident.