The Magistrates Court in Suva has sent out a stern warning to members of the public that no mercy is given to those who con people to get financial gain.

Magistrate Deepika Prakash made the warning earlier in the week while sentencing 40year-old Jack Jainandra Prasad to 18 months imprisonment.

At the start of the case Prasad maintained a not guilty plea; however he changed his plea to guilty and was convicted for obtaining $4000 from the complainant in April 2015, after agreeing to construct a fence in Nabua but failing to do so.

He was charged with one count of obtaining financial advantage by deception, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment.

While sentencing the accused, Magistrate Prakash noted that the accused agreed to pay back the $4000 which he issued in a cheque during Court proceedings.

“Offences as such are on the increase. A strong message must go out to the members of our communities and people who think like you (accused), that anyone who is deceitful and conniving and obtains financial advantage by deception will get no mercy from the Court and get immediate custodial sentence,” Magistrate Prakash said.

“It is apparent that the accused is not genuinely remorseful for his actions. He has made restitution and pleaded not guilty on the second hearing date which cannot be taken to be true remorse.”

Accordingly, Magistrate Prakash sentenced the accused to 18 months in prison, and ordered him to serve 6 months of the sentence; the remaining 12 months was suspended for 2 years.