Asylum Seeker Seeks Appeal Against Manslaughter Conviction and Sentence

An asylum seeker, found guilty of manslaughter for navigating a vessel across the Channel resulting in the deaths of four individuals, has sought to appeal his convictions and the penalty imposed at the Court of Appeal. Ibrahima Bah received a sentence of nine and a half years’ detention in February, related to the fatalities of the migrants aboard a dinghy he piloted during an attempted Channel crossing in December 2022. The ruling on this matter will be issued in written form at a subsequent time. At a retrial conducted at Canterbury Crown Court, Bah claimed that smugglers had threatened his life if he refused to operate the boat. However, the prosecution contended that his statement was untrue and asserted that he had a “duty of care” towards his fellow passengers in his role as pilot. This particular case marked the initial instance where a migrant operating an inflatable craft was deemed accountable for injuries inflicted upon other individuals on board, as reported by Dominic Casciani, the BBC’s home and legal correspondent. The individual, a Senegalese national, also faced conviction for aiding unlawful entry into the United Kingdom. During a hearing held on Wednesday, Bah presented his appeal to the Court of Appeal, seeking authorization to contest his convictions and the imposed sentence. Richard Thomas KC, his barrister, stated that the conviction could be disputed on multiple bases, including an assertion of “jury irregularity” following a report concerning a juror discussing the trial with colleagues, although the Attorney General did not pursue any action. He subsequently informed the London hearing: “This was, as the jury were told at the beginning of the trial, a trial touching on a highly politicised issue which gives rise to very strong feelings.” Evidence presented at Bah’s trial indicated that the homemade, inferior-quality inflatable craft, designed for a maximum of 20 occupants, was carrying approximately 45 individuals in the English Channel on the night in question. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is contesting this attempt to appeal. Duncan Atkinson KC, representing the CPS, remarked: “This is a case where the passengers on the boat were acting in concert with their pilot.” For updates, follow BBC Kent on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Story submissions can be sent to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp at 08081 002250. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for material found on external websites. Information regarding our policy on external links is available.