British-Pakistani Couple Convicted for Arranging Child Marriages Abroad

A British-Pakistani couple in Nottingham were convicted of child marriage offenses after arranging marriages for their teenage sons in Pakistan. They received a suspended sentence of two months for their actions, which violated recent laws in England and Wales prohibiting marriage under the age of 18.

A couple from Nottingham has been convicted of offences related to child marriage after taking their teenage sons to Pakistan for marriage. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) confirmed that they aimed to marry off their 17-year-old sons, breaking child protection laws.

The parents pleaded guilty at Nottingham Crown Court and received a two-month suspended sentence with community service obligations. This ruling came despite their claim of ignorance regarding a new law raising the marriage age to 18 in England and Wales.

Evidence from their phones indicated the arrangement was premeditated, as corroborated by detailed communication regarding marriage plans. The CPS emphasized that ignorance of the new law is no excuse for the actions which disregarded the safety statutes meant to protect minors.