An asylum seeker caught piloting a dinghy in the Channel had paid for his crossing with humanitarian aid funding, a court heard.

Chan Yuot handed over €700 to people-smugglers before taking control of the inflatable that was intercepted by Border Force officers in UK territorial waters on June 18.

The Sudanese national was said to have made the “long and arduous” journey through Libya and Italy to reach France earlier this year.

The 24-year-old hoped to seek asylum once in the UK as he feared persecution for fleeing his native country to avoid forcible conscription into the Rebel Army, Canterbury Crown Court heard.

His lawyer, Natasha Spreadborough, also told the court he paid traffickers with "money he saved up from humanitarian aid funding that had been provided to him".

She added that he only took control of the boat's tiler "under distressful circumstances" because no one else was prepared to do so and there was a fear they would sink.

Following his arrest, Yuot apologised for "his mistake", the court heard. It was not said how many asylum seekers were on the dinghy.

He later pleaded guilty to attempting to arrive in the UK without valid entry clearance and was jailed for eight months on Friday (September 1).

Recorder Ben Irwin told Yuot in deciding the appropriate sentence he had to balance personal mitigation with the need to deter others and public concern over the "phenomenon known as small boat cases".

"I accept that people crossing the Channel such as you, Mr Yuot, were doubtless hoping to find a better life," added the judge.

"But the route you chose to take meant considerable profits were paid into the hands of serious, organised gangs."

The court was told Yout has no previous convictions or immigration history in the UK, and had not made any earlier attempts to illegally enter.