Fact Check: British Sex Offender Charged with Fraud for Staging Mock Wedding with Nine-Year-Old Girl
What We Know
A 39-year-old British man, identified as a convicted sex offender, has been charged in France for attempting to stage a mock wedding with a nine-year-old girl at Disneyland Paris. This incident occurred early on a Saturday morning before the park opened to the public. According to Jean-Baptiste Bladier, a prosecutor in Meaux, the event involved numerous unwitting actors who were hired for the ceremony, which was intended to be filmed privately. The police were alerted when Disneyland staff realized the "bride" was a minor, leading to the event's cancellation.
The man used a stolen Latvian identity and fake documents to book the venue, and he has been charged with fraud, identity theft, and money laundering. He is also under investigation for potential corruption of a minor. The girl, who is a Ukrainian citizen, was accompanied by her mother and was determined by a doctor to have not been physically or sexually abused during the incident (BBC, Sky News).
Analysis
The evidence surrounding this claim is substantial and corroborated by multiple credible sources. The New York Times reported the details of the incident, confirming the man's identity as a convicted sex offender wanted in the UK for breaching court orders related to previous child sex offenses ([source-1]). The BBC and Sky News also provided similar accounts, detailing how the event was organized and the subsequent police intervention ([source-4], [source-6]).
The sources used in this fact-check are reputable news organizations with established editorial standards. The New York Times and BBC are known for their rigorous fact-checking processes, while Sky News is a well-respected outlet in the UK. The consistency of the reports across these outlets adds credibility to the claims made about the incident.
Furthermore, the prosecutor's statements, which include specific charges against the man and the circumstances of the event, provide a clear legal context to the situation. The fact that the event was intended to be filmed and involved a significant number of hired actors raises serious ethical concerns and highlights the gravity of the charges against the suspect.
Conclusion
The claim that a British sex offender was charged with fraud for staging a mock wedding with a nine-year-old girl is True. The evidence from multiple credible sources confirms that the man attempted to organize this event at Disneyland Paris, leading to his arrest and subsequent charges. The involvement of a minor in such a scenario, combined with the suspect's criminal history, underscores the seriousness of the situation.
Sources
- British Man Is Charged Over Attempted Mock Wedding With Girl, 9, at Disneyland Paris
- British man charged with organising Disneyland Paris "mock wedding" of a nine-year-old girl
- British sex offender charged after staging 'fake wedding' to nine-year-old girl at Disneyland Paris
- British sex offender charged after staging 'fake wedding' to nine-year-old girl at Disneyland Paris
