After admitting that he fleeced two persons of a total of $900,000, a man was yesterday sentenced to two years in jail despite his pleas for mercy.
Paul Gittens, 44, told Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry in Georgetown that he ended up in a tight situation, forcing him to use the money that had been entrusted to him.
He was charged with two counts of obtaining money by pretence. He pleaded guilty to both charges.
The court heard that on January 28, at Alberttown, Georgetown, with intent to defraud, Gittens obtained $800,000 from Harriet Hackett-Nials by pretending he was in the position to purchase a BMW motorcar for her.
It is also alleged that on January 20, he obtained $100,000 from Tandika Watson by pretending he was in the position to purchase a television for her.
Gittens begged the court to be lenient on him. He said he and the virtual complainants were transacting business and he ended up in a tight situation, forcing him to use the money for his own purposes.
Prosecutor Michael Grant said none of the money was recovered.
Although Gittens offered to repay the complainants, he said he did not have the money when asked by the court if he could do so presently.
The magistrate then subsequently sentenced Gittens to one year imprisonment on each charge.
