Man sentenced in fake divorce case
A husband who tried to divorce his wife without her knowing has
been sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for two
years.
In 2005 Bashir Ahmed presented the divorce petition at Bradford
County Court. A reply allegedly signed by his wife was returned to
the Court, however the form had not been signed by his wife who
knew nothing of the divorce proceedings.
Mr Ahmed had approached a man he originally believed to be a
solicitor to conduct a legitimate divorce. However the man he
approached, Khuram Shezad Ali, was described by the Judge in the
case as being "clearly a fraudster".
The two men had proceeded knowing that Mr. Ali was a fake
solicitor. Mr Ahmed had stood to benefit from what he knew to be
the false divorce. The Judge stated in sentencing the husband: "you
knowingly and deliberately took steps which perverted the course of
justice and might have significant adverse consequences both for
the legal system and for your, now former, wife."
Mr. Ali, the false solicitor, has admitted numerous charges for
which he will be sentenced in the future.
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contact Switalskis Family Law solicitors for expert advice. Our
specialist family law solicitors are recognised by The Law Society
and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.