An Italian national who piloted a small boat carrying migrants to the Essex coast has told a court he became involved to raise "quick money" for his mother's cancer treatment. Christian Albano, 45, pleaded guilty at Chelmsford Crown Court to a single charge of assisting unlawful immigration to the UK, while three co-defendants entered not guilty pleas to the same offence. The case forms part of a wider prosecution linked to a boat crossing near Holland-on-Sea, close to Clacton, highlighting continuing efforts by UK authorities to pursue those facilitating small-boat crossings.

Albano appeared alongside Konrad Dabrowski, 25, Damian Ciuron, 41, and Illia Prendi, who all deny the charge, while a fifth man, Fation Kalemaj, was not required to enter a plea. His defence barrister told the court he wishes to be deported as soon as possible once sentenced, and Judge Wilkin refused an application for early sentencing, ordering Albano be sentenced after his co-defendants' trial concludes. The National Crime Agency said the case relates to a July 1 incident in which six people aboard the boat were detained for immigration offences; a provisional trial date for the other defendants has been set for March next year, with all five men remaining in custody.