Vicar bailed over 'sham marriage'

Mr Brown was allowed bail at a court hearing on Thursday

A vicar has appeared before magistrates charged over alleged false marriages involving illegal immigrants.

The Rev Alex Brown, 60, was arrested by UK Border Agency and Sussex Police and is suspended from duty at St Peter's Church in St Leonards, East Sussex.

He is accused of conspiring to help illegal immigrants stay in the country.

He was given bail to Lewes Crown Court on 17 July. A second man, Vladymyr Buchak, 32, of St Leonards, is to stay in custody until the same date.

Mr Brown appeared before Hastings Magistrates' Court. He was granted conditional bail and ordered to appear at Lewes Crown Court on 17 July.

Mr Buchak, of Anglesea Terrace, St Leonards, is accused of conspiring to facilitate unlawful entry, perverting the course of justice and using a false document. He was remanded in custody.

A man and a woman who were also arrested in connection with the case have been bailed pending further inquiries.