Kuwaiti man claimed to be a teenage after he led 11 migrants along the Channel in an inflatable yacht.
Issa Al Tami, 20 years old, admitted that he had illegally facilited entry to the UK when he drove the ship to Dungeness in Kent.
After a long cross-examination, blood tests and lengthy investigation, a judge determined that he was actually 20 years old.
Al Tamini claimed he was unable to read and write at a Newton Hearing. This is where factual disputes are resolved by lawyers without having to present a jury.
Issa al Tamini (20) told a court that he was only 17 years old when he admitted to illegally faciliting entry into the UK
Al Tamini was charged with illegal entry to the UK. He was driving a boat across the English Channel that landed in Dungeness (Kent).
According to Canterbury Crown Court, the man was brought to Britain for a life of ‘prosperity’ after having been raised on a poor farm in northern Kuwait.
He claimed he belonged to the Shia Muslim ‘Bedoons’, which were rendered stateless and often without papers.
After being taken into custody in spring, he claimed that he wasn’t an adult but had denied telling Border Force.
Al Tamini says that he is unable to read and write. However, his mother keeps track of him and he claims that he remembers his birthdays as 14 and 15. He was also given cake.
His father sent him away at 16 when he said that he lived for one year in Greece. After which, his friend paid “a lot” for him to travel across Europe.
Al Tamini, a child of poverty, was sent to the UK by Canterbury Crown Court.
Judge Mark Weekes claimed that Mark likely lost his time traveling through Europe. He could also not read.
Judge added that there is no evidence that he organised crossings, but that he didn’t have to go to country to do so.
He added: “You had many options, and it was up you to decide to abandon this hazardous sailing.”
Al Tamini spent 13 months in prison at a Young Offenders Institution.
Upon his release, he will be eligible for deportation.