Story perspectives

Nottingham Parents Get Suspended Sentences for Under-18 Marriage Abroad

5/16/2026

Summary

Story summary

Husband and wife from Nottingham received two-month suspended sentences after their under-18 sons were married in Pakistan.
They claimed ignorance of 2022 law criminalising arranging marriages for anyone under 18, even overseas.
Text messages show the father searched for a “rishta” for his sons on 13 February and the mother asked if son liked the bride.
Judge James Sampson noted no coercion and ordered parents to complete 100 hours of community work.

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Story summary

Husband and wife from Nottingham received two-month suspended sentences after their under-18 sons were married in Pakistan.
They claimed ignorance of 2022 law criminalising arranging marriages for anyone under 18, even overseas.
Text messages show the father searched for a “rishta” for his sons on 13 February and the mother asked if son liked the bride.
Judge James Sampson noted no coercion and ordered parents to complete 100 hours of community work.