Three to stand trial over sham marriage plot at Belfast City Hall

A JUDGE has sent two men and a woman for crown court trial accused of a sham marriage plot in Belfast.

Faredj Hamlat, Lorraine Mary O’Brien and Salem Annan all face charges connected to the disruption of a suspected bogus wedding at City Hall.

Hamlat, the 26-year-old groom, is accused of trying to breach immigration law through the fake marriage stopped on June 4.

The Algerian man, with an address at Stockman’s Lane, Belfast, is also alleged to have tried to remain in the UK by deception.

O’Brien, 31, his would-be bride from Upper Edward Street, Newry, faces a charge of attempting to assist unlawful immigration.

The third suspect, 28-year-old Annan, of Ulsterville Avenue, Belfast, is alleged to have committed the same offence by acting as a witness at the ceremony.

All three appeared before the city’s Magistrates’ Court today for a hearing to decide whether they have a case to answer.

None of them gave evidence or called witnesses at this stage in proceedings.

District Judge Fiona Bagnall granted a prosecution application to have all of the accused returned for trial at Belfast Crown Court on a date to be fixed.

Hamlat was remanded in custody to Maghaberry prison.

O’Brien and Annan were released on continuing bail until their case gets underway at Belfast Crown Court.