A SUSPECTED sham marriage was stopped at the last minute by immigration officers in Hatfield.

A specialist team from the UK Border Agency swooped on Hatfield Register Office on Wednesday, just before a ceremony between a Spanish woman and a Pakistani man was due to take place.

Three people were charged with conspiracy to facilitate a breach of immigration law: 27-year-old Luisa Ruano, from Spain, Tallah Wakeel, 22, from Pakistan and 38-year-old Masood Ahmed, also from Spain.

Ruano and Ahmed were remanded in custody. Wakeel, who lives in Isleworth, was bailed.

All three will appear at St Albans Crown Court in August.

Paul Hedges, from the UK Border Agency’s East Criminal and Financial Investigations unit, said: “We are working closely with registrars in Hatfield to identify marriages that may not be genuine. Where we suspect that may be the case we will investigate and, if necessary, intervene.

“We will not tolerate immigration abuse and our officers are cracking down on sham marriages all over the country.”