The man who pretended to be the son of the new Ambassador of the United States of America to Guyana was ordered to pay a fine, sentenced to one year imprisonment and had two of his cases transferred to the Director of Public Prosecutions for advice when he appeared yesterday before Magistrate Melissa Robertson.
Thirty-seven-year-old John Spence of Lot 26 Public Road, Bagotstown, was charged with three counts of obtaining credit by fraud and impersonation.
It was alleged that between October 21 and 24, Spence at the River View Hotel, Linden, incurred a debt or liability to Audie Webster, by obtaining credit for articles, alcoholic beverages valued $50,540 and hotel accommodations valued $8, 000 from the said Webster by means of false pretence. Spence pleaded guilty to this charge.
It was also alleged that between October 31 and November 24, at Baganara Island Resort, Spence falsely and deceitfully impersonated Jamal Jones, the son of the Ambassador of the US to Guyana, John Jones in order to obtain credit on items. Spence also pleaded guilty to this charge.
The prosecution stated that at River View Hotel, Spence went to Webster and told him that he was the son of the US Ambassador to Guyana. Spence stayed at the hotel and did not pay for the services provided to him. Webster later discovered that he was not Jones and reported the matter to the police station. Spence was later arrested.
The magistrate subsequently fined Spence $40, 000 and sentenced him to one year imprisonment. She then informed the court that the two other matters of Spence obtaining credit by fraud will be sent to the DPP for advice. Spence will return to court on November 19.