Pair arrested in sham marriage probe

A bride and groom have been accused of participating in a sham marriage after they were arrested as they arrived at church.

Pavel Mirga, 22, and Florence Babawale, 19, were held outside St Peter's Church in Streatham, south London.

The pair were questioned by UK Border Agency officials and charged with immigration and identity card offences.

Tony Erne, of the UK Border Agency, said the operation was part of nationwide crackdown on organised immigration crime.

He said: "We are working closely with churches and registrars to identify suspect sham marriages and, where we believe a wedding may not be genuine, we will take action."

Mirga, a Czech national, and Babawale, a Nigerian, were remanded in custody at Camberwell Magistrates' Court yesterday.

They will appear at Inner London Crown Court on October 11. The pair were arrested on Saturday.

Last week two clergymen suspected of officiating over sham marriages were suspended from their Church of England posts in Forest Gate, east London.

The Rev Brian Shipsides, 54, and the Rev Elwon John, 43, remain on bail after they were questioned by immigration officials and police.