In a deeply disturbing incident that has shocked both France and the UK, a convicted British sex offender was detained by French authorities after attempting to stage a mock wedding with a 9-year-old girl at Disneyland Paris. The bizarre and troubling event took place over the weekend, raising serious questions about international offender tracking and child safety at popular tourist destinations.
According to French police, the man, whose identity has not yet been disclosed due to ongoing legal proceedings, traveled from the UK to France with the young girl, believed to be a relative or acquaintance. Authorities say he hired actors through an online talent agency under the pretense of filming a children’s fairy-tale-themed promotional video, failing to disclose the true nature of the event.
The staged “wedding” reportedly included elaborate costumes, music, and even a makeshift altar set up in a quiet area of the park. The actors — dressed as fantasy characters — were allegedly unaware of the underlying intentions, believing they were participating in a harmless children’s entertainment event. Concerned bystanders who witnessed the scene alerted park security, who swiftly intervened.
Authorities were contacted immediately, and the man was arrested on-site. He is now facing a range of serious charges, including endangering a minor, violating travel restrictions imposed on sex offenders, and deception for hiring the actors under false pretenses. The young girl was taken into protective custody and is being cared for by child welfare services.
A Disneyland Paris spokesperson released a statement condemning the act: “We are appalled by this individual’s actions. The safety and wellbeing of our guests — especially children — is our utmost priority. We are fully cooperating with law enforcement to ensure justice is served.” The incident has prompted internal security reviews and sparked a broader conversation about how public venues screen for inappropriate activities involving children.
UK authorities have confirmed that the man had prior convictions for sexual offenses involving minors and had been on a national offenders’ register. Investigations are now underway to determine how he was able to travel internationally and whether there was a breakdown in communication between British and French law enforcement agencies. Experts warn this case may expose dangerous loopholes in monitoring known offenders across borders.
