Peter Rigden The British Bigamist Date of Birth: 01.01.1970 Country: Great Britain

1. A British Bigamist's Unbelievable Deceit
2. The Disappearance and a Facebook Discovery
3. A Double Marriage and a Web of Lies
4. Courtroom Confrontation
5. The First Marriage
6. Discovering the Truth
7. The Second Wife's Story
8. Peter's Admission and Apology
9. Sentencing and Financial Penalty

A British Bigamist's Unbelievable Deceit

Peter Rigden, a 48-year-old British man, has been dubbed "The Terrible Liar" after evading his first wife for a decade, marrying another woman, and ultimately facing six months behind bars.

The Disappearance and a Facebook Discovery

In 2003, Peter Rigden mysteriously vanished from his home in Bolton, Greater Manchester, where he lived with his wife, Mahala. His absence remained unexplained until 10 years later, when Mahala decided to initiate divorce proceedings. To her astonishment, she stumbled upon her missing husband's Facebook profile. This revelation exposed Peter's double life—he had remarried and had a child.

A Double Marriage and a Web of Lies

Peter met his second wife, Kerry Higgins (nee Story), three years after his disappearance. Despite his marital status, he proposed to Kerry, who unknowingly accepted. They married in Ramsgate, Kent, in 2007, approximately 800 kilometers from Mahala's residence. A child was soon born into their family, the second one for Peter. Neither woman was aware that Peter, originally from Gosport, Hampshire, was already married.

Courtroom Confrontation

When the bigamist appeared before magistrates, District Judge Anne Arnold confronted him, stating that his "deceitful behavior has gone on for well over ten years." She condemned Peter for his brazenness in having a church wedding and emphasized that his child would eventually learn of his "disgraceful conduct."

The First Marriage

Peter's relationship with Mahala began in Bolton in 1999. They worked together, and their friendship gradually blossomed into romance. By 2000, they exchanged vows. Peter lived with his first wife until Christmas 2003, when he claimed to be going on a business trip to London. He never returned, leaving his marriage with Mahala in ruins.

Discovering the Truth

As the years passed, Mahala sought a divorce to move on with her life. She decided to search social media, and her Facebook investigation led her to Peter. However, the full picture did not emerge immediately. When Mahala attempted to contact her "missing" husband, she was met with a response from his partner, who mentioned that Peter's previous marriage was no secret to her.

This reply sent shockwaves through Mahala, prompting her to involve the police.

The Second Wife's Story

Kerry Higgins, Peter's second wife, testified in court that she first encountered the defendant on a dating website in 2006. They married a few months later, on December 22, 2007. At the time, Kerry was unaware of Mahala's existence.

Their marriage encountered problems over time. The birth of their child did not resolve their issues, and Kerry initiated divorce proceedings in 2013. It was not until 2018, when Kerry was summoned to the police station, that she learned her former husband was already "hitched" when they married. Kerry candidly told the authorities that she had expected such behavior from her ex-spouse.

Peter's Admission and Apology

The defendant expressed remorse for his actions, labeling them a "terrible mistake." Kerry Higgins' victim statement conveyed her shock and indignation, highlighting the considerable financial burden she incurred for their wedding.

Sentencing and Financial Penalty

District Judge Anne Arnold sentenced Peter Rigden to six months in prison and ordered him to pay a fine of £115.