The National Court today sentenced the owner of a security firm to three years in prison with hard labour for one count of obtaining K15, 000 under false pretence in Port Moresby.
Justice Ellenas Batari this morning sentenced James Yaleme to three years in prison however he had that sentence fully suspended with conditions imposed by the court.
Yaleme was found guilty by the court on September 10 of obtaining K15, 000 under false pretence from a man known as Jackson Andiki between June and July 2013.
A cheque of K30,000 was drawn up by Yaleme to the complainant however that cheque was rejected by the bank while Yaleme went into hiding.
Six months later the complainant (Andiki) held up a security vehicle owned by Yaleme to get his money back.
This resulted in police arresting and charging him for stealing under false pretence.
In handing down the sentence this morning, Justice Batari said the sentence is to warn others who also intend to borrow from informal businesses that they will be caught.
“No advantage is gained by false pretence with people intending to steal from others,” he said.
Yaleme has been ordered to repay the full amount of K15, 000 owed before November 10.
He will also be on a good behaviour bond of three years and will be required to put in 300 hours of community service.
A breach of his good behaviour bond conditions will see him serve the remaining sentence of 2 years, 10 months in prison.