For an Ealing man, his Thai bride and a wife from Azerbaijan
An Ealing father of two has been jailed for bigamy, after admitting to having both a Thai bride and a 21-year old Russian wife.
The court heard that Kenneth Forward, 49, brought a Thai bride back to England in the 80s and had two children with her.
"This defendant was living in Thailand in the 80s and whilst there he formed a relationship with a Thai national and they were married on December 22, 1989," said counsel.
"They went through a Buddhist marriage ceremony and it was a legal and valid marriage complete with photographs and the usual celebrations," said Mr Hulme.
After several alleged affairs he moved to Ealing and married a 21-year-old Russian national from Azerbaijan. "They came to this country and settled in Grimsby where Mrs Yuphin Forward had two children. After a period of time and a number of affairs involving this defendant the parties seemed to separate their lives to some extent until Forward, living in The Broadway, West Ealing, entered into an apparent form of marriage with a 21-year-old Russian, Gulnara Damirchiyeva," said counsel.
He went to Ealing Register Office and signed forms claiming to be a bachelor and they were "married" on January 29, 2004.
"He then visited the matrimonial home with his new wife indicating to his real wife that he had moved on from her," said Mr Hulme.
Flaunting this new young wife was the last straw for his legal one and she informed police of the crime.
Prosecutor John Hulme told Isleworth Crown Court on Friday: "Aged 49 and never in trouble before, Forward admitted charges of bigamy, perjury and failing to surrender to bail in January 2004 - since when he has been on the run."
According to his counsel, Quinton Newcomb, Forward is still living with his Russian bride somewhere in Paddington, intending to marry her.
He has now been divorced by his Thai wife who has custody of their children and the matrimonial home.
After jailing him for two months, Judge Andrew McDowell ordering Forward to pay £500 costs and do 200 hours of unpaid work. He told him: "Your first wife is understandably very hurt by what has happened. If you had any conscience you should be apologising to her and your children.
"As far as your second wife is concerned I certainly hope you will go through another ceremony because she has been deceived and cheated by what you did. Marriage is still an important institution in this country."
March 3, 2007