CPS London authorises UK Border Agency to charge three people

14/12/2012

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has today authorised the UK Border Agency’s South London Criminal and Financial Investigation Unit to charge a reverend and a verger from the Church of England and a further individual with conspiring to facilitate unlawful immigration and for assisting illegal entry.

Claire Holder, CPS London reviewing lawyer, said: "Having considered a full file of evidence in this case, I have decided that there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest to prosecute Reverend Nathan Ntege, verger Brian Miller and Galena Petkova for conspiracy to do an act to facilitate the commission of a breach of UK immigration law by a non EU person and charges of assisting illegal entry.

"The charges relate to approximately 492 marriages, at the Church of St Jude's and St Aiden's, Thornton Heath, between December 2009 and March 2011.

"They now stand charged with criminal offences and have the right to a fair trial. It is extremely important that nothing should be reported which could prejudice this trial."

They will appear at Croydon Magistrates' Court on January 16th.