Michael Russels, a British national, was last Thursday convicted and sentenced to 18 months in prison with hard labour without any option of a fine.
Michael was found guilty by the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court of obtaining money by false pretence.
The convict was further ordered to compensate the complainant with D40,000.
Magistrate Tabally, before delivering the verdict, went through evidence adduced by the prosecution witnesses and that of the convict.
He said the prosecution witnesses stated that the convict collected D35,000 from the complainant, Lamin Ceesay, with the pretence of securing him a job and a passport.
Magistrate Tabally further stated that the first prosecution witness, Lamin Ceesay, told the court that the convict came to his father and asked if he would be interested to work with them in the sea, and his father replied in the affirmative.
He added that PW1 asserted that the convict demanded D70,000, and told them to pay an advance of D35,000, which his father did.
He added that the prosecution witnesses adduced that the said money was paid in the presence of Yorro Manneh, Lamin Ceesay, Momodou Fatty and Ebrima Jeng.
PW1, the magistrate continued, told the court that Ebrima Jeng who accompanied him to
According to the magistrate, PW1 also confirmed to the court in his evidence that he never worked at sea, and his money was never returned to him.
The presiding magistrate said the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt, and that the court had found the convict guilty of the offence charged.
Police prosecutor CPL Colley told the court that "the convict was once sentenced for a similar offence to six months in prison or in default to pay a fine of D8000."
