UK court gives Zim drunkard chance to sort his life

Peterborough Telegraph - A man with a history of anti-social behaviour problems has been given a chance to transform his life after magistrates heard of his tragic past.

Shepherd Gandi (41) of Kilham, Peterborough, lost everything when he contracted HIV via a blood transfusion he received after he was involved in a serious car crash more than 15 years ago in his homeland of Zimbabwe.

And he was shown mercy by Peterborough magistrates last week as his tale was recounted as he appeared before the court for failing to comply with the requirements of the sex offenders register.

Gandi also suffered brain damage in the crash and turned to drink after discovering his HIV diagnosis. His spiralling drinking problem led to his family to disown him.

In court, his solicitor Julie Mertagh admitted he was a "nuisance" in Peterborough, with his latest court appearance coming after he failed to sign the register within three days of being released from prison after he exposed himself to two teenage girls in the city last August.

Ms Mertagh said: "He was working as a senior accountant for Zimbabwe airlines.

"But in 1996 he was involved in a road traffic accident and was hospitalised. He suffered brain damage and had blood transfusions.

"He came to the UK in 2000 because of the regime in Zimbabwe and looked to get money to sponsor his wife and family to join him.

"But he was not well and was diagnosed with HIV, which he contracted as a result of the blood transfusions he had.

"He conceived his daughter after the blood transfusion but before the results were known and he was very worried about his wife and his daughter.

"Fortunately they were okay.

"He began to drink to enable him to cope and the drinking got out of control. He is now separated from his family, because they are ashamed of him.

"I don't say he is not a nuisance, but he has realised if he is going to get his family back he needs to sort out his life."

Prosecuting, Jackie Carradice had told the court Gandi had been released from prison on February 7 this year and made attempts at Bayard Place and Bridge Street Police Station to sign the register, but was told he could not sign it at either place.

Chair magistrate Steve Hanson said: "We feel you made efforts to contact police by going to Bayard Place and other ways and you were probably given some misinformation."

Gandi walked free from court as he was given a six month conditional discharge.

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