A man who led a double life by marrying two women without legally divorcing either has been jailed for bigamy. James Dinsdale, 45, was sentenced to 12 months in prison after admitting to the offence at Lincoln Crown Court.
Dinsdale first married his second wife in 2016 while still legally bound to his first spouse. The deception only unravelled when his second wife discovered the truth and reported him to the authorities.
The Deception Uncovered
Investigations revealed that Dinsdale had never formally divorced his first wife before entering into a second marriage. His second spouse, unaware of his marital status, only learned the shocking truth years later.
Prosecutors described Dinsdale's actions as a "calculated betrayal," leaving both women emotionally devastated. The court heard how his first marriage had effectively ended years earlier, but he had taken no legal steps to dissolve it.
Legal Consequences
Bigamy remains a criminal offence in England and Wales, carrying a maximum sentence of seven years. Judge Simon Hirst, presiding over the case, emphasised the seriousness of Dinsdale's deception.
"You knowingly entered into a marriage while already legally married," Judge Hirst told Dinsdale. "This was a deliberate act of dishonesty that has caused significant distress to both women involved."
The case serves as a stark reminder that even in cases where relationships have broken down, proper legal processes must be followed before remarrying.
