A BABYSITTER who took part in a sham marriage in East Lancashire has been told she could be facing jail.

Emma Louise Evans, 34, confessed to taking part in a ‘marriage of convenience’ with Kazeem Kolade at Blackburn Register Office in July 2012, during a hearing at Burnley Crown Court.

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But Evans, of Hufling Lane, Burnley, was able to convince prosecutors she did then not go on to bigamously marry a second man, Stephen Akinseye, the following January.

Defence counsel Mark Stuart was able to produce a divorce certificate, after making inquiries with the Nigerian High Commission, to prove that the first ‘wedding’ had been annulled.

The former Accrington and Rossendale College and Fearns High student, who has also lived in the Bacup area, had denied bigamy, and also a third charge of taking part in a second sham marriage with Mr Akinseye at Burnley.

Prosecutor Neil Bisarya said the pleas were acceptable to the Crown, after legal discussions had taken place with Mr Stuart, and further consideration of the evidence in the case.

Recorder Harry Narayan formally entered a not guilty verdict on the bigamy offence and allowed the second sham marriage charge for Mr Akinseye to lie on the court file.

Evans had gone through with the first marriage with Mr Kolade in order to assist his illegal immigration by deception, so the Nigerian could remain in the UK, the court heard.

Requesting a pre-sentence report for Evans, Mr Stuart said: “The defendant is a lady of good character. She does have both physical and some mental health issues.”

Adjourning the case until December 9, Mr Recorder Narayan told Evans: “The fact that I am going to bail you in order for a pre-sentence report is no indication as to sentence. All sentencing options, including a custodial sentence, remain open to the court.”