Man exposed as a bigamist when fourth wife opens divorce letter from third

A 30-year-old was exposed as a bigamist when his fourth wife opened a letter issuing divorce proceedings from his third. Cheal Sweetman failed to get a divorce from Amanda Madden when the pair separated in 2003.

Sweetman, of The Broadway, Chesham, had married on two previous occasions, when aged 18 and 24, and had been divorced both times. But Wycombe Magistrates Court heard today Sweetman then married Juliet Bond in December 2004 while still legally married to Miss Madden.

Julia Jeans, prosecuting, told the court Miss Madden attempted to begin divorce proceedings in 2003.


Photo from here.

But the split was never legally granted after she lost touch with Sweetman. The court heard Miss Madden then made another attempt to get a divorce in 2007. She managed to find details of Sweetman's address - and discovered he had re-married.

Mrs Jeans told the court a solicitor's letter was sent to the address - where it was opened by Miss Bond. The couple wed in 2004, but Miss Bond did not know Sweetman was still married.

Sweetman was granted unconditional bail after pleading guilty to bigamy.