Man fined K300 for stealing bank card

A 25-YEAR-OLD man charged with false pretence was fined K300 by the Lae District Court or serve three months in Buimo prison.
Magistrate Jacinta Doa fined John Mokondaik, from Pilikambi village in Laiagam, Enga, for obtaining an ATM card through deception.
Magistrate Doa said stealing from someone and pretending to be them was a serious offence.
“I hope this is your first and last time in committing such offence,” she said.
“This is totally wrong, the fact that you stole an ATM card and pretended to be that person is a serious offence.”
A police report stated that on May 12 at around 11am at Papindo supermarket, Eriku, Lae, Mokondaik helped a man use an ATM to withdraw cash and in the process allegedly stole his card and gave him an invalid card.
The victim quickly noticed that the card was not his and alerted guards at supermarket who caught Mokondaik.
The court noted that Mokondaik had no prior convictions, was single and unemployed.
“Since it’s your first time in court and you have pleaded guilty, I will be lenient with you, so pay your fine and go free if not you will do three months at Buimo.
“Take this as a lesson.”