R v Mohamed (Ashari)

Subject Matter

CRIME — Immigration — Attempting to arrive in United Kingdom without valid entry clearance — Sudanese defendant intercepted whilst attempting to cross English Channel in small boat — Defendant not having entry clearance but applying for asylum on arrival — Whether asylum-seeker requiring entry clearance — Whether asylum-seeker having defence to charge of attempting to arrive without valid entry clearance — Immigration Act 1971 (c 77), ss 1(2), 3(1), 3A, 24(D1) — Nationality and Borders Act 2022 (c 36), ss 30(3), 37

[2023] EWCA Crim 211; [2023] KB 293; [2023] 3 WLR 31; [2023] 2 Cr App R 2; [2023] WLR(D) 109, CA

CRIME — Immigration — Assisting unlawful immigration — Sudanese defendant intercepted whilst attempting to cross English Channel in small boat of migrants — Defendant piloting boat for all or part of journey — Whether defendant assisting breach of “immigration law” by migrants arriving in United Kingdom without entry clearance — Whether Crown required to prove defendant knew or should have known migrants committing offence of arriving in United Kingdom without entry clearance — Immigration Act 1971, ss 1, 3, 24(D1), 25(1)

[2023] EWCA Crim 211; [2023] KB 293; [2023] 3 WLR 31; [2023] 2 Cr App R 2; [2023] WLR(D) 109, CA

Commentary

Free Movement
Court of Appeal dismisses appeal against criminalising small boat arrivals Case comment

Blackstones Criminal Practice 2025
Illegal Entry and Other Offences - Elements B22.38

Facilitating Unlawful Immigration - Elements B22.52