Bigamist wife caught out by internet wedding snaps

A WOMAN has admitted committing bigamy after her first husband saw a photograph of her illegal second wedding.

Jacqueline Barrie, 43, married her second husband, Kenneth Barrie, in a modest ceremony at Aberdeen registry office on 26 June last year.

But when the man to whom she was already married spotted photographs of the wedding on a social networking site, police were called in to investigate.

Eaun Fleming, who was Barrie’s first husband, confirmed that the couple had separated but never divorced.

Yesterday Barrie admitted a charge of bigamy when she appeared at Aberdeen Sheriff Court. She was fined £500.

Procurator-fiscal Sandy Hutchison said: “The first marriage took place in 1994 and I think the parties split in November 2008.

“I think there was some communication via solicitors, but no divorce proceedings were instigated. It appears that the matter came to light because of pictures on a social networking site and that information eventually went back to Mr Fleming.”

The court heard the matter was then reported to the police.

Defence lawyer David Sutherland said his client had previously met lawyers to discuss divorcing her husband.

He said she accepted that she should have waited until the divorce was finalised before she got married again.

Mr Sutherland said: “My client flew back in from the Middle East to resolve this matter.

“She was married to Mr Fleming from 1994. That marriage was an abusive and violent one at the hands of Mr Fleming. There were two daughters from that relationship.

“As a result of the violence at the hands of Mr Fleming, my client left him in November 2008.

“She did seek lawyers advice, and there was a separation agreement entered into and signed by both parties.

“In one view, they were divorced in all but terms of names.”

He added: “It was a fraught first marriage, but she has put that behind her.”

Mr Sutherland said his client was now divorced from her Mr Fleming and had married Mr Barrie again on 28 April this year.

The lawyer said the housewife, who now lives in the Middle East with her new husband, regretted her actions.

Sheriff Scott Pattison said he had considered deferring the case for background reports because of the seriousness of the offence, but he fined her £500 instead.

Mrs Barrie told her lawyer that she would pay the fine within seven days.

She refused to speak after the case.