Glenn Parsons Secures Acquittal in Peruvian Bigamy Trial, Following a Successful Submission of No Case to Answer
Park Square BarristersGlenn Parsons has successfully defended and secured an acquittal in the case of a Peruvian bigamy trial involving a ‘reprehensible’ airport boss and a ‘sham marriage’ certificate.
The airport manager married the Peruvian in 2006 whilst she was pregnant with his child and shortly after moved back to the UK, though they split up in late October due to difficulties.
His ex-wife shortly after discovered that he had then married somebody else in the UK, hence reporting her estranged husband to police who charged him with bigamy.
During a three-day trial; Judge Jeremy Richardson QC spoke of the shameful conduct of the airport manager, though stated it would be unsafe to convict him of bigamy. As a consequence, he ruled the jury could not safely convict because his Peruvian marriage may not have been legal.
Defence barrister Glenn Parsons accused Ms Belahonia of fixing an illegal marriage, saying ‘This whole marriage was a sham – from start to finish – cooked up by you and your family who knew the local mayor.
‘Your parents knew the Mayor and encouraged him to arrange a quickie marriage in your living room and all formalities were ignored.’
Summarising; Judge Richardson said the only issue in the case was whether there was a sham or lawful marriage.
‘The Crown expert appeared astounded the Peruvian authorities allowed the marriage to go ahead. The expert ruled that the marriage was voidable.
‘There are so many legal lose ends about Peruvian law it cannot be proper to allow the matter to go before the jury. I am completely satisfied there is no case to answer.’
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Contact Glenn’s clerks
Andrew Thornton on 0113 213 5202
Rebecca Wilson on 0113 213 5203