Yatna Cole, a visa dealer, was on 30 October 2014 convicted and sentenced to a fine of D10,000 indefault to serve two years in prison for obtaining money by false pretence, following his guilty plea.
The sentence was handed down by Magistrate Bojang of the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court.
According to the prosecutors, Yatna Cole in August 2014 at Sanchaba in the Kanifing Municipality, fraudulently converted the sum of D120,000 being monies given to him by one Ebrima Camara to procure an American visa for him and his sister, and thereby committed an offence.
In his plea of mitigation, the convict begged the court to temper justice with mercy.
He said he would refund the complainant his money if the court gives him the chance to do so.
In his judgment, Magistrate Bojang told the court that the convict was charged with obtaining money by false pretence and pleaded guilty, and had been found guilty on his own plea.
He said the convict committed a serious offence, as at the time he was receiving the D120,000 from the complainant, he knew he was not working at the American Embassy and he could not issue a visa to the complainant.
He therefore convicted and sentenced him accordingly.
The IGP was represented by W/PC 5426 Badjie.
