Mohamed Sech, 40, from Mauritania, was remanded in custody after his raft was intercepted in September at some 4.5 miles from the coast of Arguineguín.

Of the 22 passengers, six were under 18.

They had all paid a large sum of money to travel to Spain on board the jerry-built raft, lured with promises of a better quality of life.

Sech has been charged with offences against the rights of foreign citizens after they sailed for three days across the Atlantic with no food, water or lifejackets.

He was sentenced by Las Palmas court yesterday.