The Eastbourne Herald has the news:
A TORY candidate in next week’s county council elections is today exposed as a former bigamist.
The Herald has uncovered documents showing Reg Jenkins, who is standing for the Conservatives in Devonshire, married his current wife, Huang Qi, in Shanghai, China, in February 1992 while he was still married to his first wife, Eleanor…
[This] is an offence under Section 57 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 and carries a maximum prison sentence on conviction of seven years. Mr Jenkins, 66, who runs a guest house in Cambridge Road, said yesterday he did not think he had done anything wrong. His 47-year-old wife is reportedly on holiday in China.
In a statement issued through the Eastbourne Conservative Association, Mr Jenkins admitted he may have made an ‘error of judgement’.
The Offences Against the Person Act 1861 is, as I’m sure you’ll know, also the act which outlaws “Placing wood, &c., on a railway, with intent to endanger passengers”, “Obstructing or assaulting a clergyman or other minister in the discharge of his duties” and “Placing wood, &c., on a railway, with intent to endanger passengers”.
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19 Comments
Really don’t give a toss. This story is beneath us.
Tsh, so what?
I’m not sure this will affect the result of the election – but only because the Lib Dem Beryl Healy is going to get a huge majority anyway.
Yes, you really need a microscope to see any significance in this.
It is relevant in that bigamy is a serious criminal offence carrying a maximum penalty of seven years imprisonment. If the said candidate were elected they face disqualification if convicted (depending on sentencing).
I have never understood why bigamy is a criminal offence anyway.
So is polygamy illiberal?
I think as long as the Tory candidate hasn’t gone on about `family values` then the issue should be left out. Should he be elected it will be an issue involving the council and the courts.
Sorry, I have now had a sense of humour rebore.
Is this “placing wood etc” offence really in the said Act twice? That would make it a bigamous clause wouldn’t it?
This is not a story. Bigamy laws, like Blasphemy and its ilk, are a religious relic.
Relic or not,break this law and you will be in court sooner than you can say Jack Mormon.
Mark, telling this story may be bigamy, but it isn’t bigayou!
Do you have to place wood on a railway twice for it to be an offence?
I think we should be told!
Don’t forget section 16 of the 1861 Act.
Useful for any death threats that councillors sometimes get.
No, the wood placed on the railway line does not have to be a fence.
David: consider it more a “bizarre election tales corner” story than an “outraged of Tunbridge Wells writes…” story. Perhaps we need a new category to make that clearer than quoting the other bits of the law does 🙂
Wood you risk it, though?
Would you de-select a Muslim who had more than one wife?
If it’s against the law of the land, yes. I would de-select a Christian who had more than one wife, after all.