A WOMAN who claims she stood as a fake bride in six weddings has denied she willingly became part of a bogus marriage gang in return for cash.

Dimple Patel also denied that the first ceremony she took part in was a genuine union.

The woman, now known as Jacqueline Grahams, has admitted charges relating to the marriages.

She said she was 17 and attending Blackburn College when she met Ibrahim Patel through a friend. She said at that time she had a housing problem and was told he would help her.

Two people are on trial at Preston Crown Court, accused of being concerned with arrangements to obtain leave for someone to remain in this country, or entry into the UK. Ibrahim Patel, 50, of Dartford Close, denies 12 charges.

Amita Rana, 33, of Roney Street, both Blackburn, denies nine.

It was put to the prosecution witness that following her move to Preston at around 18 years of age, as a Hindu girl she was lonely, without any Hindu boyfriends and that one of the things she went to see Patel about was an arranged marriage. She said that wasn't the case.

Defence barrister Mr John Jackson suggested that the first marriage in August, 1995, at Preston register office, was genuine, arranged by Patel. But Miss Grahams replied: "No it wasn't."

The 25-year-old denied hearing gossip at 17 about marriages being arranged and people standing in for the real bride.

Mr Jackson put it to her that she had been a willing participant for money in a gang led by someone called Purbhai, regarding false marriages and false applications.

"I didn't get any money," she replied.

She did agree when it was suggested that she knew what was going on and thought it was a way of making money. She dismissed a claim that she was not under duress when she married.

The defence claims that regarding the Preston wedding, Patel was a guest and she had described him as such in a police statement.

Miss Grahams was asked under further cross examination whether she was pregnant by her husband when she married and later suffered a miscarriage. She replied: "No, positive."

She denied living at the address in Surrey Street, Preston, where she says she was taken before the ceremony, and that she was eventually divorced because of her behaviour. "I never lived with him."

She was further questioned about an article in the News of the World newspaper relating to the man Purbhai, a story about "false brides," printed in September 2000. She accepted having read it.

Miss Grahams was arrested in January 2001.

(Proceeding)