Vicar faces 'sham marriage' trial

Mr Brown has been suspended from duty at St Peter's Church

A trial date has been set for a Sussex vicar charged over alleged false marriages involving illegal immigrants.

The Rev Alex Brown, 60, who is accused of conspiring to help illegal immigrants stay in the UK, appeared at Lewes Crown Court.

Mr Brown is currently suspended from duty at St Peter's Church, St Leonards, in East Sussex.

He has not yet entered a plea but a provisional trial date of 7 December has been set. He was granted bail.

Vladymyr Buchak, 32, of Anglesea Terrace, St Leonards, who is accused of conspiring to facilitate unlawful entry, perverting the course of justice and using a false document, also appeared at Lewes Crown Court.

He also did not enter a plea and was remanded in custody. A provisional trial date of 7 December was also set for Mr Buchak.