Couple took underage sons abroad for marriage
Summary
A couple from Nottingham took their underage sons to Pakistan in 2023 to marry them, breaking a new UK law that bans child marriage. The couple received suspended prison sentences and unpaid community work for causing their children to enter into marriage under the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act 2022.Key Facts
- The couple took their sons, who were under 18, to Pakistan for marriage in early 2023.
- The law changed in February 2023, making it illegal to cause anyone under 18 to marry, even abroad or in religious ceremonies.
- The bride was originally to marry one son, but ended up marrying the other son after the first rejected her.
- The couple admitted guilt and received two-month suspended sentences and 100 hours of unpaid work each.
- Police were alerted by a place of education, leading to the couple’s arrest in June 2023.
- Messages on the parents’ phones showed they were actively seeking marriage proposals for their sons before the trip.
- The court found no evidence of violence or threats but said the couple acted on misguided cultural beliefs.
- The marriage is recognized under Islamic and Pakistani law but not automatically legal in the UK without registration.
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