In July last year, border guards in the UK discovered an overcrowded small inflatable boat on its way across the English Channel.

Inside were a total of 50 men, women and children who were trying to enter the UK illegally.

The man driving the boat when it was stopped was a 25-year-old man from Egypt.

This is thought to be partly due to a selfie taken by the man shortly before the authorities stopped his boat. This was reported by several international media.

Not the first time

Apart from photos, they also found written evidence.

– Investigators found messages relating to his illegal attempt to enter the UK, a spokesman for the UK Home Office said.

The 25-year-old man was sentenced to three years and two months in prison at the Salisbury District Court on Friday last week.

During interrogation, he admitted that he had been driving the ship for an hour and a half, but at the same time stated that they had transferred responsibility on the ship.

Jimmy (42) was stolen at birth

The man also admitted that this was not his first attempt to enter England. In the past, he was also suspected of trying to cross the border in a truck.

This, and the fact that he was identified as the driver of the boat, was crucial to his sentence.

Travel motives also play an important role.

– When asked why you wanted to go to England, you answered that you wanted a better life. “In my opinion, you fall into the category of economic migrants,” Judge Timothy Mouseley said in Salisbury District Court Friday.

Different nationalities

British newspapers wrote that the passengers on the rubber boat had different nationalities. 24 people reportedly came from Albania, 15 people from Afghanistan, some from Syria, and one person from Iraq.

Some people are said to have been granted asylum in the UK, but the majority have been refused.

Opened the package – got it backwards

According to the 25-year-old man’s defense attorney, Philip Hill, all passengers had to agree and cooperate with the trip.

British immigration minister, Robert Jenrick, condemned the illegal immigration attempt.

– Endangering the lives of men, women and children by trying to carry them across waterways in small boats will not be tolerated. “We will continue to stop these completely unnecessary trips, and at the same time ensure that those responsible are put behind bars,” he said.