Convicted predator claims prison torment in France

Jacky Jhaj, 40, the British sex offender who staged a fake wedding with a nine-year-old girl at Disneyland Paris, says he’s being targeted by fellow inmates. Held at the Meaux-Chauconin detention centre, Jhaj’s lawyer, Etienne Arnaud, told a French court that the prisoner has suffered bullying and even arson attacks since his June arrest.

According to Mr Arnaud, other detainees see Jhaj as wealthy due to intense media coverage of the bizarre ceremony. “He is under pressure because he is seen as someone who has a lot of money,” the solicitor revealed.

The Disneyland shocker: £113k sham wedding exposed

Back in June, workers at Disneyland Paris spotted a young Ukrainian girl dressed as a bride — complete with elevated footwear — during what appeared to be an illegal wedding ceremony. Staff raised the alarm, prompting authorities to investigate the event that had taken place after closing hours. Some 100 paid guests reportedly attended the lavish production, which cost a staggering £113,400 to stage.

French prosecutors say Jhaj faked the identity of a 22-year-old Latvian man to pose as the groom and produced false documents for the event.

Charged with fraud, breach of trust, money laundering, and identity theft, Jhaj remains in custody after a judge rejected his bail bid. He faces another four months behind bars as investigations continue.

“This concerns my release. It’s a very serious matter. We’re talking about my life,” Jhaj told the court.

Dark past: Predator repeatedly targets children

The case has sent shockwaves across Europe because of Jhaj’s sordid history. In 2016, he was sentenced to four years for child sexual offences after grooming two 15-year-olds by pretending to be a 21-year-old film producer. He drove them around in a Range Rover, supplied alcohol, and took them to parties—all under his fake film industry persona.

UK authorities are now after him for breaching the sex offender register and violating a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Defence claims ‘film shoot’ not wedding

Jhaj’s lawyers argue the Disneyland event was a film production, not a real marriage. They say Jhaj was merely “one of the actors” and “wasn’t the organiser or financier” of the affair.

Medical exams confirm the girl suffered no violence or coercion during the event — though the nature of the ceremony remains deeply troubling.

UK police liaise with France, hunt for answers

The Metropolitan Police revealed they are coordinating with French authorities over Jhaj’s detention abroad and ongoing violations back home. Officials remain baffled over how a convicted sex offender managed such a spectacular stunt in one of Europe’s most family-friendly attractions and travelled freely despite monitoring requirements.

Jhaj will stay locked up while French prosecutors piece together the full story. His trial date is yet to be announced. The scandal exposes gaping holes in safeguarding both at home and abroad.