Harare – A Harare regional magistrate has sentenced a commodity broker,Steven John Bass to an effective three years in jail for duping a friend US$200 000 after lying that he intended to invest the money in a company to supply goods to TM Pick n Pay.
Clever Tsikwa, a regional Magistrate sentenced John Bass eight years in prison with two years suspended on condition that he does not commit a similar offence of fraud and dishonesty.
Another three years were suspended if Steven John Bass restitute Dickinson US$160 000 by August 29, 2025.
The court heard that sometime in 2021 Steven John Bass (wearing cap in main picture) approached a friend and former workmate Nicola Ruth Dickinson with a business proposal.
John Bass (52) lied that he had orders to supply supermarket chain, TM Pick n Pay goods from South Africa.
He formed a company Wireline Investment Pvt Ltd and duped Dickinson to invest US$200 000 while John Bass said he will put US$300 000 into the business.
Dickinson gave John Bass US$200 000 in cash unknowingly that she was being duped.
John Bass did not invest the money into the business neither did he contribute US$300 000 as promised.
When confronted by Dickinson, Steven John Bass became evasive.
He only paid back US$40 000 before a fraud case was reported to the police and US$160 000 is still outstanding.
”The offence involved careful planning and execution. The accused benefitted from this offence,” Tsikwa said in his ruling.
”The amount involved is very substantial of which greater part has not been recovered.”
Ephraim Zinyandu was prosecuting the case for the state.