A teenager is set to make legal history this week as the first person prosecuted under a new law for allegedly endangering lives during a perilous sea crossing to the UK.
Landmark Court Appearance
Aman Naseri, aged 18, is scheduled to appear before Margate Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday. He faces two charges following an incident alleged to have occurred on January 5, 2026.
A spokesperson for HM Courts and Tribunals confirmed the charges. As well as the new offence of endangering others during a sea crossing, Naseri is also accused of entering the United Kingdom without valid entry clearance.
The New Border Security Law
This landmark prosecution is made possible by the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act, which became law in December. The legislation introduced a range of measures specifically designed to curb dangerous Channel crossings.
The new offence aims to prevent people from being crammed into unsafe vessels. It applies to individuals involved in physical aggression, intimidation, or anyone who resists rescue attempts during a crossing.
When the plans were announced last January, Home Office sources described instances of “floating crime scenes”, where reckless behaviour led to fatal crushes and drownings on board overcrowded boats.
Powers and Penalties
The charge of endangering others at sea covers journeys to the UK from France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. It can be applied in cases involving either physical or psychological injury.
Those found guilty could face a prison sentence of up to five years. This increases to a maximum of six years if the offender is also in breach of a deportation order.
The Act also grants enforcement agencies significant new powers to tackle people smuggling networks. From Monday, officers can seize mobile phones and SIM cards from migrants without making an arrest, a tactic intended to gather vital intelligence on smuggling gangs.
Naseri's court date coincides with the arrival of the first migrant boat of 2026. On Monday, 32 people made the crossing in a single vessel, landing in the UK amid freezing temperatures.
This case marks a pivotal moment in the UK's approach to managing Channel crossings, setting a precedent for how the new border security laws will be enforced.
