World · Europe · 2 hrs ago
Man jailed after taking a fishing trawler from Ramsgate harbour
Bilal Adam took a fishing trawler from Ramsgate harbour in Kent in the early hours of Tuesday.
The 100-ton boat, called Carousel, was taken while its crew was on board.
Adam told the crew he wanted to go to France to collect his family, and the boat turned in circles inside the harbour before a crew member helped avert disaster.
The boat’s gearbox and other parts were damaged, with the total cost estimated at nearly £90,000.
Adam admitted taking a mechanically propelled vehicle without consent but disputed how much damage he caused.
Magistrates sentenced him to eight months in custody and barred him from driving for a year, saying he could try to leave the country illegally again.
Bilal Adam was jailed for eight months after taking a fishing trawler from Ramsgate harbour.
The 30-year-old admitted taking the vessel without consent but disputed the extent of the damage.
The trawler, named Carousel, sailed in circles inside the harbour before a crew member helped avert disaster.
Damage was estimated at almost £90,000, including damage to the gearbox.
Adam told the court he wanted to take the boat to France to collect his family, but said he had not threatened the crew.
- Who
- Bilal Adam, a 30-year-old Sudanese national, took the trawler. A crew member was aboard.
- What
- Adam took the vessel without consent and was sentenced to eight months in custody. He was also barred from driving any vehicle for a year.
- When
- The boat was taken in the early hours of Tuesday. Adam appeared in court on Wednesday; the article was published on 5 November 2026.
- Where
- Ramsgate harbour in Kent, England.
- Why
- Adam said he wanted to go to France to collect his family. The prosecutor said he did not want to wait 14 weeks for funded travel.
Bilal Adam
Prosecution
Threats to crew
Bilal Adam
Adam said he never threatened the crew member or intended to harm anyone.
Prosecution
The prosecution told the court Adam threatened the crew member and appeared to reach for a knife.
Damage to vessel
Bilal Adam
Adam admitted taking the boat but disputed how much damage he caused.
Prosecution
The charge Adam admitted was aggravated by damage caused; the damage was estimated at almost £90,000.
Adam took the Carousel from its mooring in Ramsgate harbour while a crew member was aboard.
A crew member woke to the sound of the boat's engine and acted to avert disaster.
Adam appeared at Margate magistrates' court and received an eight-month custodial sentence.
- Vessel
- Carousel, a 100-ton shellfish trawler
- Location
- Ramsgate harbour, Kent
- Sentence
- Eight months in custody
- Driving ban
- One year
- Estimated damage
- Almost £90,000
- Co-owner
- Lynn Shellfish, based in King's Lynn, Norfolk
What people are saying
I never intentionally harmed someone and never threatened the guy.
I never wanted to put their life in danger.
he didn't want to wait the 14 weeks that was necessary to get funded travel
take him to France to collect his family