Bigamist caught out when he invited the same guest to both his 'weddings'

A bigamist caught out after he invited the same guest to both weddings yesterday escaped jail - because both his “wives” have forgiven him.

Truck driver Randolph 'Ranchie' Edge arrived at Norwich Crown Court hand-in-hand with first wife Edna Winkle.

But the court heard he continues to live with 21-year-old Patience Carey whom he married in a bogus ceremony last year - and they are “better friends than ever”.



Judge Peter Thompson warned the 54-year-old that he had committed a serious crime and devalued the sanctity of marriage. But the fact that all parties had got over their heartache meant he could be spared a prison sentence.

“You consciously deceived a 21-year-old, many years younger than yourself, who was completely convinced you were free to marry,” the judge said. “You happily participated in a wedding day sham.”

Judge Thompson sentenced Edge to 12 months of supervision by probation officers and 100 hours' community service. He said: “You are very lucky. The last person I sentenced for bigamy went straight to prison. You flouted a law designed to preserve respect for marriage. Do not treat anybody with this kind of disdain again.”