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01/07/2009
Vicar Quizzed Over 180 'Sham Weddings'
An East Sussex vicar has been arrested on suspicion of organising 180 'sham weddings' for illegal immigrants, it has emerged.
The Reverend Alex Brown was arrested following a series of dawn raids in the Hastings area, following an 18-month police investigation.
Officers from Sussex Police joined a team from the UK Border Agency to arrest four people, including the 61-year-old from St Peter and St Paul Church, St Leonards.
The serving vicar was arrested on suspicion of conspiring to facilitate the illegal entry of people to the UK.
A 32-year-old Ukranian man, a 27-year-old Latvian woman - believed to be one of the brides - and an Armenian male are also being questioned on suspicion of facilitation offences.
A commercial premises which offers advice and translation services to the Eastern European community was also searched as part of the operation.
Det Insp Andy Cummins, of the UK Border Agency's Joint Immigration and Crime Team, said: "Today's arrests follow an 18-month investigation into allegations that nearly 180 sham marriages had been arranged at the local St Leonards church, allowing non-EU nationals to remain within the UK and EU member states.
"Search warrants were obtained and officers have searched premises and arrested three men and a woman."
A Diocese of Chichester confirmed Mr Brown had been suspended from his duties pending the outcome of the investigation.
He said: "It is with great sadness and regret that the Bishop of Lewes has received a report of the arrest of the Rev Alex Brown, the Vicar of St Peter's, Bohemia, St Leonards-on-Sea.
"The church has been co-operating fully with the police and other agencies in their ongoing investigations since the extent and seriousness of this matter came to light."
(JM/BMcC)
The Reverend Alex Brown was arrested following a series of dawn raids in the Hastings area, following an 18-month police investigation.
Officers from Sussex Police joined a team from the UK Border Agency to arrest four people, including the 61-year-old from St Peter and St Paul Church, St Leonards.
The serving vicar was arrested on suspicion of conspiring to facilitate the illegal entry of people to the UK.
A 32-year-old Ukranian man, a 27-year-old Latvian woman - believed to be one of the brides - and an Armenian male are also being questioned on suspicion of facilitation offences.
A commercial premises which offers advice and translation services to the Eastern European community was also searched as part of the operation.
Det Insp Andy Cummins, of the UK Border Agency's Joint Immigration and Crime Team, said: "Today's arrests follow an 18-month investigation into allegations that nearly 180 sham marriages had been arranged at the local St Leonards church, allowing non-EU nationals to remain within the UK and EU member states.
"Search warrants were obtained and officers have searched premises and arrested three men and a woman."
A Diocese of Chichester confirmed Mr Brown had been suspended from his duties pending the outcome of the investigation.
He said: "It is with great sadness and regret that the Bishop of Lewes has received a report of the arrest of the Rev Alex Brown, the Vicar of St Peter's, Bohemia, St Leonards-on-Sea.
"The church has been co-operating fully with the police and other agencies in their ongoing investigations since the extent and seriousness of this matter came to light."
(JM/BMcC)
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