'Fake' bride and groom arrested

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A bride and groom were led away in handcuffs yesterday by police and UK Border Agency staff who had raided a wedding ceremony as part of an investigation into sham marriages.

The pair were among seven members of a wedding party detained by around a dozen officers at Leeds Town Hall.

The border agency said a 23-year-old Pakistani man and a 22-year-old Slovakian woman were arrested as they prepared to take their vows. Both were detained on suspicion of conspiracy to assist unlawful entry into the UK.

Acting Detective Inspector Pete Gallagher said: "We suspect that the sole purpose of this marriage would have been for the groom to avoid immigration controls and stay in the UK."