MEAUX, France (BN24) — A British man arrested at Disneyland Paris for allegedly attempting to stage a wedding ceremony with a nine-year-old girl has been identified as Jaskarn Jhaj, a 39-year-old convicted paedophile wanted by UK authorities, French prosecutors announced Tuesday.
Jhaj, also known as “Jacky,” was charged with fraud, breach of trust, money laundering and identity theft following the shocking incident that unfolded Saturday at the theme park in Marne-la-Vallée. The elaborate scheme involved approximately 100 guests who believed they were attending a legitimate wedding ceremony.
French prosecutors in Meaux confirmed that Jhaj was known to British authorities “for sexual offences against minors” and is currently on the run from UK law enforcement. According to official statements, Jhaj is registered on the British sex offenders register and is wanted nationally by judicial authorities in his home country for failing to comply with registration obligations.
The convicted sex offender was previously sentenced to four years in prison in 2016 for grooming and sexually assaulting two 15-year-old schoolgirls. Court records show he lured the teenagers to parties by falsely claiming to be a prominent Hollywood film producer before providing them with alcohol.
Park staff discovered the disturbing nature of the event when Jhaj arrived with a Ukrainian child identified as the intended “bride,” accompanied by her family and the large group of guests. Disneyland employees only realized the bride was a nine-year-old girl on the day of the ceremony, according to prosecutors.
Despite his criminal background, Disneyland management had permitted Jhaj to privatize portions of the park facility at a cost of approximately £115,000. The private wedding ceremony was scheduled to take place at dawn, as such events at the theme park are typically organized outside regular operating hours.
Prosecutors revealed that Jhaj had assumed the identity of a Latvian national and used fraudulent documents to secure the privatization contract with Disneyland. Senior management claimed they were “deceived” by the false documentation and misrepresentation of the event’s true nature.
In addition to Jhaj, French authorities arrested three other individuals connected to the scheme. Those detained include the child’s mother, a 41-year-old Ukrainian woman, a 24-year-old Latvian woman who portrayed the bride’s sister, and a 55-year-old Latvian man who participated in the ceremony.
The entire event was planned for live broadcast on social media platforms, with prosecutors noting that “extras” had been recruited online to portray family members. Despite the public nature of the planned broadcast, organizers specifically requested that Disneyland maintain confidentiality about the event.
Jhaj has a documented history of elaborate hoaxes and publicity stunts. In 2023, he organized a mysterious fake funeral featuring an empty coffin at London’s prestigious Oratory in Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, complete with hired actors portraying mourners. The same year, he orchestrated a fabricated red carpet scene in London’s West End involving 90 children and dozens of teenage extras recruited to create crowds for filming.
More recently in 2024, Jhaj was filmed naked in Silvertown, east London, detonating a fake police van and sending its roof 50 feet into the air. The incident was recorded as part of a production called Project Dover, which also involved setting fire to a van bearing BBC World branding.
A Disneyland Paris source confirmed that the event was “soon shut down” once staff realized the true circumstances, with guests prevented from entering the premises. The theme park acted swiftly to cancel all proceedings upon discovering the bride was a minor.
Medical examination of the young girl revealed she had not suffered any physical violence, according to prosecutors. The child’s condition and current custody arrangements were not immediately disclosed by authorities.
One individual recruited to act as a wedding guest described the shocking realization among attendees. The source stated that everyone believed they were attending a legitimate wedding ceremony and expressed stunned disbelief upon learning the true nature of the event. The witness praised Disneyland’s professional response, noting that staff immediately canceled everything upon discovering the bride was a child.
The incident has raised serious questions about security protocols and background verification procedures at international entertainment venues. Disneyland Paris officials have not yet provided detailed statements about how the extensive planning and financial arrangements proceeded without detection of Jhaj’s criminal history.
French authorities continue investigating the complex scheme involving multiple international participants and fraudulent documentation. The case highlights ongoing challenges in monitoring registered sex offenders who cross international borders and assume false identities to evade detection.
Jhaj remains in French custody pending further legal proceedings, while UK authorities have been notified of his arrest and location. The incident represents one of the most elaborate and disturbing cases of attempted child exploitation at a major international tourist destination in recent years.
