Barking vicar in court on sham marriage charge
Two clergymen have appeared in court over claims they conducted sham marriages.
Reverends Brian Shipsides, 54, and Elwon John, 44, of are alleged to have conducted around 200 phoney ceremonies between December 2007 and July 2010.
The pair, who served at churches in Forest Gate, are charged with conspiring to facilitate entry to obtain indefinite leave to remain in the UK, writes MATT NICHOLLS.
The offence carries a maximum jail term of 14 years on conviction.
Both vicars have been suspended from their duties at All Saints Church in Romford Road and St Edmund’s in Katherine Road by the Church of England.
They appeared before Stratford magistrates on Friday, where they spoke only to confirm their names and addresses.
Both have yet to enter a plea.
Most Read
- 1 Thousands set to descend on Dagenham for music fest as licence approved
- 2 Wanted: Man sought after aggravated burglaries, failing to appear in court
- 3 Barking and Dagenham gets lowly ranking for 'healthy streets'
- 4 Jailed: 8 east London offenders put behind bars in June
- 5 Serving Met officer suspended from duty after stalking charge
- 6 Jailed: Burglar who stole equipment worth more than £3k from car repair centre
- 7 More than 300 homes finished at Beam Park as council leader visits
- 8 Dagenham & Redbridge relishing first friendly says Rance
- 9 Travel bulletin: Havering, Redbridge, Barking and Dagenham
- 10 No injuries after car and van collide in Dagenham Heathway
Shipsides, of Claremont Road, Forest Gate, and John, of Kennedy Road, Barking, were bailed to appear at Inner London Crown Court on April 8.
They were both ordered not to attend All Saints or St Edmund’s and not to contact church authorities or each other.