British Man Charged for Orchestrating Fake Wedding at Disneyland Paris
A provocative incident unfolded at Disneyland Paris when a 39-year-old British man, who has a criminal record as a sex offender and is currently wanted in the UK, was arrested for organizing a staged wedding ceremony involving a nine-year-old Ukrainian girl as the "bride." The elaborate event, reportedly costing around $150,000, was interrupted by Disneyland staff before the ceremony could conclude.
The Staged Ceremony and Arrest Details
The man, whose identity remains confidential, was charged by French prosecutors with multiple offenses, including money laundering and identity theft. Authorities acted after a hired participant, brought in to play the role of the bride’s father, alerted the police. This individual revealed he was paid €12,000 for the role and only discovered at the last moment that the bride was a child.
The event had been privately booked at Disneyland Paris and involved nearly 100 extras, all reportedly hired under the pretense of an upscale wedding rehearsal. Several participants, including a 24-year-old Latvian woman posing as the bride’s sister, the child's 41-year-old mother, and a 55-year-old Latvian man were also taken into custody.
Details About the Child and Investigation Results
The young girl, recently arrived in France from Ukraine just two days prior, appeared at the theme park wearing a wedding dress and striking 5-inch heels taped to her feet, according to reports. Despite the unusual circumstances, investigations, including a medical examination, confirmed that she had not suffered any physical or sexual abuse and was not forced to take part in the ceremony.
French authorities clarified that the girl was "scared and confused," but was not subjected to violence or coercive acts. The British man, professionally disguised to conceal his identity, had rented the venue for several hours, aiming to film the ceremony privately.
Community Reaction and Context
Many of the hired attendees were reportedly shocked when they realized the nature of the event. One participant stated, "We all thought we were going to attend a wedding… Everyone was stunned, no one expected it." The bizarre stunt has sparked widespread concern over the exploitation of vulnerable individuals, especially children, for social media sensationalism.
French prosecutors continue to investigate the depth of the crimes and the motives behind the staged marriage, shining a light on the dangers of exploitative social media antics crossing legal and ethical boundaries.
