Rebwar Hamad, a 48-year-old Iraqi man with a terrorism conviction, has been sentenced to two years and three months in prison for attempting to enter the UK illegally via a small boat. Hamad and others were intercepted by an RNLI lifeboat off the coast of Dover on September 19.
Hamad, who previously arrived in the UK in 2001 and was granted indefinite leave to remain, was later convicted in absentia by an Italian court for terrorism offenses. He was extradited to Italy in 2020, where he served his sentence. After his release, Hamad was given seven days to leave Italy. When his application for a UK visa was refused, he paid approximately 1,200 Euros—around £1,000—for a spot on a small boat to re-enter the UK.
Following his interception, Hamad was interviewed at Margate police station but initially declined to comment. He ultimately pleaded guilty to entering the UK without valid entry clearance. During sentencing at Canterbury Crown Court, the Crown Prosecution Service emphasized Hamad’s blatant disregard for immigration laws, especially given his history of terrorism offenses.
READ MORE: DWP to Exclude State Pensions from New Bank Account Surveillance Checks
READ MORE: ‘Extraordinary’ mum dies following suspected hit-and-run; three men arrested
Peter Cockrill of the CPS stated, “The CPS will continue working closely with law enforcement and international agencies, including the Border Security Command, to combat people smuggling networks and prosecute those exploiting this illegal trade.”