A Dutch woman who tried to take part in a bogus marriage with an illegal immigrant has been jailed for six months at Coventry Crown Court.

Eunice Ridderstap pleaded guilty on 16 December to facilitating a breach of immigration law by entering into a sham marriage with a non-EU citizen. If completed, this marriage would have enabled the non-EU citizen to remain in the UK by deception.

Acting on intelligence, UK Border Agency officers swooped on the Parish Church of St Albans in Stoke Heath, Coventry on 18 July just before Ridderstap was due to marry Vincent Akingbo, a Nigerian national.

Akingbo had entered the UK illegally and was arrested along with his 'bride'. He was removed back to Nigeria in September.

Gail Adams, UK Border Agency Regional Director, said:

'This was a serious attempt to facilitate illegal entry into the UK. Our Immigration Crime Teams across the West Midlands are cracking down hard on this type of abuse of our immigration system.

'We expect foreign nationals to play by the rules or we will take swift action. This case sends out a clear message that we will not hesitate to prosecute and deport those involved in sham marriages.

'Identity cards for foreign nationals will prevent this sort of abuse in the future by locking individuals down to one identity through their facial image and fingerprints.'

Over recent years the UK Border Agency has clamped down on sham marriages with suspected sham marriages falling from over 3,500 in 2004 to under 400 in 2008.

Identity cards for foreign nationals are being introduced which will further prevent immigration abuse. Individuals will be locked down to one identity through their facial image and fingerprints.

Anyone who has information about illegal immigrants in Coventry should contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where anonymity can be assured.