News / National
Bogus lawyer escapes jail
01 Dec 2014 at 06:29hrs | Views
An unemployed man who masqueraded as a lawyer and duped an unsuspecting "client" of $650 on the pretext he could provide him legal services has been spared a custodial term after a magistrate commuted his sentence to community service.
Eubank Damiso (age not given) of Rimuka, Kadoma, was on Tuesday slapped with an 18-month jail sentence when he appeared before magistrate Richard Ramaboea.
However, six months of the sentence were suspended on condition of good behaviour, while a further three months were set aside on condition he restitutes $250 to complainant on or before December 31.
The remaining nine months were suspended on condition accused performs 315 hours of unpaid work at Jairos Jiri School in Rimuka starting this weekend.
In passing sentence, the magistrate said accused had tarnished the reputation of the legal profession by his act of dishonesty.
The State's case is that on a date unknown, but in May this year, the complainant Happison Sigauke (58) of Dalny Mine, Chakari was seeking advise over a labour dispute and was referred to accused by an unnamed person.
The court heard that upon their meeting, accused lied to complainant that he was a representative of a Harare-based law firm, Matsikidze & Mucheche Legal Practitioners and pledged to assist him for a fee.
Accused was allegedly paid $650 which he converted to his own use.
The offence came to light when Sigauke visited the said law firm in Harare where he discovered that accused was not employed there, but was, infact, a con-artist.
Of the swindled money, accused restituted $400.
Wayne Togara prosecuted.
Eubank Damiso (age not given) of Rimuka, Kadoma, was on Tuesday slapped with an 18-month jail sentence when he appeared before magistrate Richard Ramaboea.
However, six months of the sentence were suspended on condition of good behaviour, while a further three months were set aside on condition he restitutes $250 to complainant on or before December 31.
The remaining nine months were suspended on condition accused performs 315 hours of unpaid work at Jairos Jiri School in Rimuka starting this weekend.
In passing sentence, the magistrate said accused had tarnished the reputation of the legal profession by his act of dishonesty.
The State's case is that on a date unknown, but in May this year, the complainant Happison Sigauke (58) of Dalny Mine, Chakari was seeking advise over a labour dispute and was referred to accused by an unnamed person.
Accused was allegedly paid $650 which he converted to his own use.
The offence came to light when Sigauke visited the said law firm in Harare where he discovered that accused was not employed there, but was, infact, a con-artist.
Of the swindled money, accused restituted $400.
Wayne Togara prosecuted.
Source - newsday
