Ex-Con Gets 10 years for Impersonating Cop, Obtaining Money By False Pretences

CHIPATA Magistrates’ Court has sentenced an ex-convict to 10 years imprisonment with hard labour for impersonating a police officer and obtaining money by false pretences. Magistrate Moses Mukumba Phiri on Friday sentenced Francis Kayombo of Kalongwezi to 10 years imprisonment with hard labour.
Magistrate Phiri sentenced Kayombo after he pleaded guilty to charges of personating a public officer and four counts of obtaining money by false pretences.
In all the counts, the convict made people believe he was a police officer at Chipata Central Police Station when in fact not.
Particulars of the offences were that on unknown dates but between February and June this year, in Chipata district, the convict disguised himself as a police officer from Chipata Central Police station under the Anti-Robbery Section in the Zambia Police Service.
The Convict who recently served a five-year jail sentence at Namuseche Correctional facility in Chipata for theft went round telling his victims that he was a police officer and that he could facilitate their recruitment into the police service.
Kayombo between February and June 2018 obtained money amounting to K6,600 from four female prospective police recruits.
The convict collected K3,000 from Fredah Phiri, K2,000 from Jacqueline Sakala, K950 from Jean Banda and K650 from Mary Phiri and was reported to Chipata Central Police Station where was arrested.
In mitigation, Kayombo asked for the court’s leniency as a second offender who readily pleaded guilty to all the five offences without wasting the court’s time.
“Your honour, I know I am wrong. Yes, I am the second offender, but forgive me as I am taking care of my mother, I have epilepsy, married with three children and also taking care of other six family members. Sending me to jail these people will suffer,“ said the convict.
Passing judgment, magistrate Phiri said the court heard the convict’s mitigation but that the offences he committed were serious and that it seemed it had become common to swindle women.
“I have heard your mitigation but the offences you committed are serious. Being the second offender, it seems you have a habit of getting money from victims such as women. In the first place, you should have thought of your loved ones who depend on you before committing the offences. However, to protect other people and help you reform, I sentence you to two years with hard labour for each count effective June 19, 2018, each count will run consecutively.” Said magistrate Phiri.

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