Man charged with crossing Channel in small boat

A man has appeared in court charged with piloting a small boat illegally across the English Channel.

Idris Abdu, originally from Eritrea but living in Bradford, is charged with "conspiring to facilitate the commission of a breach of UK immigration law by a non-UK national" in relation to a Channel crossing in May 2025.

He appeared at Bradford and Keighley Magistrates Court on Friday where he was told his case would be transferred to Bradford Crown Court due to its seriousness.

He faces two charges, one of conspiracy to breach UK immigration law by piloting a small boat, and another of arriving in the UK without a valid entry clearance.

Paul Ramsey, prosecuting, told the court the first offence was so serious it could only be heard in Crown Court, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

He said: "He is accused of piloting a small boat that travelled from France to the UK. There is a further charge of arriving in the UK without valid entry clearance."

Deputy District Judge Nick Hayles granted Abdu unconditional bail ahead of his next appearance on 17 June.

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