A Glaswegian woman has been convicted of a number of UK spouse visa crimes and sentenced.
The 49-year-old was found to have arranged three bogus marriage services, all with the aim of obtaining UK spouse visas for either the bride or groom. She targeted citizens from Ghana who were desperate to stay in Britain and used her friends and family as 'partners' in the weddings.
Janet Cathie, from Cardonald, was sentenced at Glasgow Sheriff Court for her role in arranging the marriages, which took place in Paisley, Glasgow and Renfrew in 2006 and 2007, the BBC reported.
Sheriff Johanna Johnston QC told Ms Cathie: "You were convicted by the jury of three offences under the immigration act which carry a penalty of up to 14 years imprisonment.
"You arranged the introduction of illegal immigrants to vulnerable people, including your own daughter and were a witness at these sham weddings and you did this for money."
Ms Cathie, who as well as arranging the marriages was a witness at all three, told the court she was in the process of divorcing a man from Ghana, while it was also revealed that she had previously married an Algerian citizen.
A jail sentence of 27 months was imposed for the crimes.