Jail for family in wedding con

Members of a Black Country family who married illegal immigrants for money and drugs were today handed jail sentences.

The four brothers and two sisters of the Williams family, who live in Rowley Regis, Dudley and Handsworth, all admitted carrying out sham marriages for foreign nationals.

Another two people, including a friend of the family and a Jamaican national who married one of the Williams' sons have also been punished for their part in the complex scam.

Siblings Natalie Williams, aged 26, Luke Williams, 24, Brett Williams, 31, David Williams, 32, Daniel Williams, were all today beginning immediate prison terms, as was Jamaican national Donna Williams, who married Daniel, for their parts in the scam.

Two more defendants Dawn Whitehouse, who is pregnant, and Amanda Williams were given suspended one-year terms.

Judge Robert Orme told the defendants they were part of a sophisticated attempt to pull the wool over the eyes of the immigration authorities.

The court heard the wedding ceremonies included fake guests, photographers and receptions.

The judge said: "This was a case in which the offences undermine country's immigration systems and the impact of marriage."

He said they would have to be sentenced as a deterrent to prevent similar offences happening in the future.

Judge Orme described Venrick Clarke, who in a separate trial was sentenced to nine years in prison, as the mastermind.

"There was no doubt that he has been an evil, malign influence but as the defendants will know they took part for financial gain and that has to be considered when sentencing."