Bogus wedding charges denied

Seven alleged members of a people-smuggling gang have appeared in court.

The four women and three men denied being involved with bogus weddings that allowed foreign nationals to move to the UK.

They are alleged to have run the operation between Britain and India, supplying passports and other forms of identification to people wanting to become British citizens.

The accused are also said to have entered into bogus marriages in India to help people who would not normally be able to enter the UK.

In court were Sabina Mussa, 26, Jahara Mullan, 42, Anisa Mussa, 22, Alisha Jazmine Kaur, 24, Ibrahim Umarji, 65, Salim Mullan, 59, and Abdul Dossani, 28.

All seven pleaded not guilty to a charge of conspiring to arrange the entry of illegal immigrants into the UK between February 2000 and February 2003.

Mr Umarji, from London, and Salim Mullan, from Leicester, also denied handling stolen passports.

And Salim Mullan also pleaded not guilty to two offences of perverting the course of justice by inciting others to make false statements.

Mr Umarji and Salim Mullan were remanded in custody after the case at Leicester Crown Court was adjourned for a further hearing on 18 December.

The others, all from Leicester, were released on bail.