Men deny charges over small boat landing in Essex

Three men, charged over a small boat landing on the Essex coastline, have pleaded not guilty during a court appearance.

Konrad Dabrowski and Damien Ciuron, who are both from Bradford, and Illia Prendi, of no fixed abode, entered the pleas during a hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court on Thursday.

The boat was spotted on the beach at Holland-on-Sea, near Clacton-on-Sea, on 1 July and the men have been accused of facilitating illegal immigration.

Christian Albano, who was the boat's pilot and was arrested at sea by Border Security Command, also appeared in court. He entered a guilty plea and has been remanded in custody until his sentencing.

Dabrowski, Ciuron and Prendi have also been remanded in custody until their trial on 22 March 2027.

There will be a pre-trial hearing in December but the date has not yet been set.

During the hearing, the court heard how Albano took the job to pay for his mother's cancer treatment in Italy.

The court also heard how he is keen to be deported and wants to go back to Italy.

Albanian national Fation Kalemaj of no fixed abode appeared before magistrates in Bradford on 11 August, on the same charge, and is next due at the city's crown court on 10 September.

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