Gay 'bigamist' spared prison
Britain's first lesbian "bigamist" Suzanne Mitchell was today given a suspended jail sentence for "marrying" a woman without divorcing her husband. Britain's first lesbian "bigamist" Suzanne Mitchell was today given a suspended jail sentence for "marrying" a woman without divorcing her husband. Mitchell, 30, of Wingfield Gardens, Ditherington, Shrewsbury, admitted making a false statement by declaring to superintendent registrar Majorie Dunning on February 1 that she had not been through any form of marriage or civil partnership before. At Shrewsbury Crown Court today Mitchell was given an eight-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, placed on supervision for two years and ordered to carry out 100 hours unpaid work. Mitchell held a civil partnership with Caroline Beddoes in Shrewsbury last year while still married to Charles Mitchell, breaking the Civil Partnership Act 2004. Read the full story in today's Shropshire Star
At Shrewsbury Crown Court today Mitchell was given an eight-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, placed on supervision for two years and ordered to carry out 100 hours unpaid work.
The court was told Mitchell is 12 weeks pregnant with her sixth child.
Mitchell held a civil partnership with Caroline Beddoes in Shrewsbury last year while still married to Charles Mitchell, breaking the Civil Partnership Act 2004.
Prosecution barristers had said the charge should be considered as one of bigamy. Sentencing Mitchell, Judge Robin Onions jailing the 30-year-old would have had a damaging effect on her children, whom he described as the "only injured parties" in the case.
He told Mitchell: "Make up for what you have done with your children and get on with your life."
He said Miss Beddoes had been "deceived and humiliated" and did not deserve what had happened to her. He added: "It was, in my view, an offence of deception and cruelty. You knew exactly what you were doing."
Mr Mark Linkins, prosecuting, told the court Mitchell and Miss Beddoes had been friends, but lost touch before meeting again while waiting for a bus, after which their relationship developed. Mr Shaun Brogan, for Mitchell, said his client was a "confused and emotional individual".
Mitchell declined to comment after the case.
By Deborah Collins
