An imam from Kilburn who was accused of carrying out a series of sham marriages at an Islamic centre in Westbourne Grove has had the charges against him dropped.

Mohammed Mattar, of Maygrove Road, was accused of conspiracy to facilitate a breach of the UK’s immigration laws by conducting the bogus ceremonies at the Dar Al Dawa Islamic Centre.

The 62-year-old was also charged with money laundering, relating to the alleged transfer of £1.9 million to an Egyptian bank account in his name.

In April the money laundering charges were dropped and last month the remaining accusations were dropped after the Crown Prosecution Service offered no evidence against him.