PATRICK Bentham (no address given) was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment yesterday, on conviction for obtaining money under false pretence.
Acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry convicted him after he pleaded guilty to having, between November 2 and 26 last, with intent to defraud,  obtained $108,000 from Nicose Rafikiki, by falsely pretending that he was in a position to obtain a firearm licence, knowing it to be false. Police Inspector Stephen Telford, prosecuting, said the prisoner is known to the virtual complainant, who indicated that he was interested in obtaining the licence and Bentham offered to make arrangements for securing it.
The Prosecutor said, after Rafikiki handed over the cash, Bentham kept avoiding him.
In Court, the defendant admitted collecting the money from the virtual complainant but said the transaction could not be completed.
Bentham said he was willing to make restitution but the magistrate refused to let him do it and warned him not to make any such bargains in future, noting that, only through the Commissioner of Police, can such a document be issued.