Jailed, the sailor caught red-handed sneaking boat full of illegals into UK
added: “On May 23 this year, a boat called Fortunella was seen off the Isle of Wight, making its way to Chichester harbour.
“It was initially stopped. The marine patrol communicated with the vessel and asked the captain to identify himself, and he gave the name Stephen Jackson.
“They ran a check through the police national computer and it said he was wanted on a European arrest warrant.
“He was allowed to carry on into Chichester harbour, where there are no border controls.”
As his vessel arrived at the marina, police were waiting for Jackson and a search of the catamaran uncovered the 17 Albanian men on board.
Ms Walsh said there were insufficient lifejackets on the boat, and none of the men had permission to enter Britain.
Eight were immediately deported. The other nine, who had previously made bids to enter the UK – including one with a conviction for a sex offence – received jail terms after pleading guilty at Crawley magistrates court to unlawful entry.
Jeopardy
Only one has actually sought to claim asylum.
Ms Walsh said that when Jackson, of West Wittering, West Sussex, was interviewed by investigators, he said he had sailed from Cherbourg the previous day.
He claimed he felt forced into sailing the Albanians into Britain after discovering them on board the boat.
He refused to comment when asked if he had been paid.
In a later interview, he disclosed that he had been given the boat in exchange for smuggling the men into the UK.
Ms Walsh said the operation involved a “significant degree of planning” by Jackson, who was described as an experienced sailor who had a boat in Lanzarote. “This was a voyage in which those 17 men had their lives in some degree of jeopardy,” she added.
Ms Walsh said Jackson faces a hearing in connection with the European arrest warrant at Westminster magistrates court on August 11.