Man charged over teen bride walks free

A Sydney man who was arrested after allegedly marrying an under-age girl has had charges against him dropped.

A police station

Victoria Police are appealing for help find three children who've been missing since Sunday. (AAP)

A Sydney man arrested over his alleged marriage to a 15-year-old girl has walked free from court after charges against him were dropped.

Mustafa Abdelghany, 20, was discharged by District Court Judge Paul Conlon in Sydney on Tuesday after the prosecution told the judge the matter would be discontinued.

No reason was given for the withdrawal of charges.

Abdelghany was arrested in February, 2015 and accused of marrying a 15-year-old bride under Islamic law in a backyard ceremony in 2014.

Police also alleged he had assaulted his new wife and threatened her family.

He was initially charged with marrying a person not of marriageable age and two counts of having sex with a 15-year-old.

However the marrying charge was later dropped, and two charges added - one of indecency and one of assault.

The four charges were dropped on Tuesday.

Outside court, Abdelghany's lawyer AJ Karim said, "we're very happy with the result", but wouldn't reveal whether his client was still with the teenager.


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Source: AAP



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