TWO Blackburn people were part of a bogus wedding scam which enabled an Indian national to stay in the UK illegally, a court was told.

And a judge told Issak Matak and Salma Chowdhury that there was considerable public concern about the use of sham arranged marriages, aimed at evading immigration controls.

But Anthony Russell QC said the court's powers in the case of the two defendants had been seriously hampered by the magistrates court imposing six months custody on the main player in the offence.

Preston Crown Court heard that the fake wedding had involved Akbar Chokwola, whose work visa had been due to expire.

He went on to be granted leave to remain here until this year but police arrested him.

Matak, 46, of Saunders Road, Blackburn, and Chowdhury, 30, of Moss Bank, Blackburn, had both pleaded guilty to an offence of assisting unlawful immigration.

The bogus wedding took place in April 2004 at Preston Register Office.

Mr Julian Taylor, prosecuting, said a woman was approached by Chowdhury and asked if she would be willing to enter into a marriage.

"After some discussion, she was persuaded to do so, in exchange for decorating work being done at her house," said Mr Taylor.

Afterwards, the bride did not see her "husband" again.

Chokwola was arrested in February last year and later pleaded guilty to an offence under the immigration act. Magistrates sentenced him to six months youth custody and served him with a deportation notice.

Mr Taylor added: "The bride has not been dealt with for any offence. It is accepted that she was a somewhat naive party."

Both defendants are British citzens. Chowdhury had a previous conviction for assisting an illegal entry to the UK. In September 2002 she was given 12 months in prison, suspended for two years.

She had been a bogus bride in a wedding but was said to have been on the periphery of a large organisation.

Mr Philip Andrews, defending Matak, said: "It was an entirely one-off offence. He is not part of any organisation or enterprise involved in arranging marriages for people, to evade immigration requirements.

"The defendant has not made one penny piece, not one rupee piece."

Miss Virginia Hayton, for Chowdhury, said: "She got involved due to misguided loyalty. It has been extremely frightening for her, having this matter hanging over her head."

Both defendants were placed on two years community rehabilitation and ordered to carry out a 100 hours unpaid community work.

Matak was ordered to pay just over £406 costs and Chowdhury costs of just over £535.