A man has been jailed for 18 months for piloting a small boat carrying 26 other people, including six children, towards the Kent coast.

Jemal Abdela, 32, was sentenced after pleading guilty to the offence of endangering others during a sea crossing to the UK without valid entry clearance on July 25.

Winchester Crown Court heard Abdela, who is Eritrean, had also attempted to disguise the fact he had been driving the black inflatable across the Channel when it was approached by immigration officers.

A Home Office spokesman said Abdela was the 20th small boat pilot to be imprisoned in four months for endangering lives at sea.

Matthew Parris, prosecuting, told the court that the defendant was seen piloting the boat, which was being followed by French authorities.

He said Abdela had "dived into the centre of the boat and moved to another location wearing a hat" before being identified, adding that the vessel did not have flares, GPS or maps onboard.

The court heard that Abdela told police he had paid €800 (£680) for the crossing, which had begun at 17:00 BST the previous day.

He also claimed to have been sat by the captain of the boat, but was then made to take over control of the vessel by the other passengers.