British Man Charged in Disneyland Paris “Mock Wedding” Involving a Minor
Authorities Act After Investigation into Fraudulent Ceremony
A British citizen faces charges after French prosecutors revealed a fabricated wedding at Disneyland Paris featuring a nine-year-old girl. The suspect, previously convicted of sexual offenses, was apprehended at the theme park Saturday. The incident has prompted scrutiny of event security and the exploitation of children.
The Alleged Scheme Unfolds
Jean-Baptiste Bladier, the prosecutor from Meaux, disclosed that the 39-year-old British man allegedly organized the event. He is now facing counts of fraud, abuse of trust, money laundering, and identity theft. The accused reportedly played the role of the groom in the staged ceremony.
Police were alerted by an individual who claimed to have been hired to portray the bride’s father. According to Bladier, this person was to receive €12,000 (€10,000) for the role. This individual “realized at the last minute that she was nine years old,” Bladier stated.
The young girl, a Ukrainian national, had come to France with her mother two days before the ceremony. Four individuals were arrested, including the “groom,” the girl’s mother, a 24-year-old Latvian woman who played the sister of the bride, and a 55-year-old Latvian man who was hired to play the “father of the bride.”
Deception and Investigation
Disneyland Paris was misled, the authorities confirmed. Fake identification was used to secure the private event. Approximately 100 extras were also falsely presented as wedding guests.
The British man appeared before the tribunal in Meaux on Monday, after which he was formally charged. French authorities have been coordinating with UK officials, identifying the suspect as a registered sexual offender who is wanted in the United Kingdom.
“He was reportedly convicted in the past, including for offences of a sexual nature against minors.”
—Jean-Baptiste Bladier, Prosecutor
The investigation also revealed the “groom” had his appearance altered. This case brings attention to the child exploitation epidemic. In 2023, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children handled over 29 million reports of child sexual abuse material, highlighting the pervasive threat. (NCMEC 2023)
Legal Proceedings and Ongoing Developments
The 24-year-old Latvian woman is currently considered a witness in the ongoing investigation. Disneyland Paris has been contacted for comment. Authorities continue to examine the circumstances.
In a previous statement, Bladier described the wedding as “fictional and meant to be recorded in a private capacity.” The investigation is ongoing, with further legal actions expected.
