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12/03/2012
Man Jailed For Sham Marriage Plot
A Pakistani man who acted as a witness at a bogus wedding was jailed for 9 months and fined £1,500 at Newry crown court for attempting to breach UK immigration rules.
Haroon Nawab, 24, pleaded guilty at the same court on 6 March 2012 to assisting unlawful immigration (facilitation).
Nawab, who lives in Dublin, was arrested on 14 July 2011 by specialist officers from the agency after organising a sham marriage ceremony at Banbridge register office on 14 July 2011.
Earl Aiken, senior criminal investigator for the agency said after the sentencing: "This case shows how people are prepared to enter into a marriage with someone they barely know to help them cheat the immigration system in exchange for cash.
"Immigration crime is not victimless. The gangs involved often have links to serious organised crime. We will continue to make life as tough as possible for those who seek to abuse the system.
"The UK Border Agency is cracking down on sham marriages and those who seek to cheat immigration laws face prosecution and conviction."
(GK)
Haroon Nawab, 24, pleaded guilty at the same court on 6 March 2012 to assisting unlawful immigration (facilitation).
Nawab, who lives in Dublin, was arrested on 14 July 2011 by specialist officers from the agency after organising a sham marriage ceremony at Banbridge register office on 14 July 2011.
Earl Aiken, senior criminal investigator for the agency said after the sentencing: "This case shows how people are prepared to enter into a marriage with someone they barely know to help them cheat the immigration system in exchange for cash.
"Immigration crime is not victimless. The gangs involved often have links to serious organised crime. We will continue to make life as tough as possible for those who seek to abuse the system.
"The UK Border Agency is cracking down on sham marriages and those who seek to cheat immigration laws face prosecution and conviction."
(GK)
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