Authorities in France arrested a convicted sex offender who reportedly attempted to stage a "mock wedding" with a 9-year-old Ukrainian girl at Disneyland Paris in which he played the groom.
Meaux prosecutor Jean-Baptiste Bladie said a 39-year-old British man allegedly organized a stunt marriage ceremony on Saturday, June 21, paying Disneyland Paris to hold the event, according to BBC. Around 100 people were hired to be extras in the staged ceremony that cost around €130,000 (over $151,000) so it could be filmed in a private capacity.
The young girl arrived in France two days earlier was not harmed in any way and was not forced to play the bride, BBC reported. Staff said she was dressed as a bride, wearing white and having her hair done. A park guest who was hired to play the bride's father alerted staff, who called the police.
The suspect reportedly used a stolen Latvian ID and fabricated documents to book the event through Disney, the New York Times reported. He is reportedly being charged with fraud, money laundering and identity theft.
Bladier accused the man of wearing professional makeup so he would not appear as himself, BBC reported.
