Bride faces life apart from her husband

A couple have been forced to start married life apart because the bride has been refused entry into the UK.

Israeli Sivan Ben Abu wed Londoner Oliver Stopnitzky in Tel Aviv last week, but Mr Stopnitzky returned home alone after the ceremony.

Mrs Stopnitzky said: "I'm devastated and he is inconsolable. Our married life has been ruined by UK immigration."

Mrs Stopnitzky was barred from entering the UK last month when she flew from Tel Aviv to London for a civil marriage ceremony.

She was questioned by immigration officials at Luton Airport and deported for traveling without a fiance visa - a document required by foreigners getting married in the UK.

The couple filed an appeal, claiming they had been told the visa was unnecessary, but have now been advised that Mrs Stopnitzky could face a lengthy ban.

She said: "Our wedding in Israel was the most beautiful day of my life. But then we got a letter from the British immigration authorities saying a decision on my appeal could take until February next year.

"Oliver has spoken to a lawyer in the UK who says that if it is rejected, I might have a 10-year ban."

An immigration spokesman told the JC that Mrs Stopnitzky was free to make a further application to enter the UK.

But she said: "I'm scared to travel to the UK in case they w send me back again. I'm starting married life with no idea of when I will be able to spend it with my husband. All we want is to be together."