Mechanic faces sentencing for defrauding cop

Adrian Cole
Adrian Cole

A mechanic is due to be sentenced after pleading guilty to defrauding a policeman of over $300,000 that was entrusted to him to buy a part.

Adrian Cole admitted in a city court to the charge that between September 29th, 2017, and October 6th, 2017, at Campbellville, Georgetown, being solely entrusted with $325,000 from Harvey Sutherland in order to purchase a motor vehicle transmission, he fraudulently converted same to his own use and benefit.

Cole, of Fourth Street Campbellville, Georgetown, pleaded guilty after the charge was read to him by the Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

The mechanic explained to the court that he was arrested for the same charge in 2017 and he paid $80,000 on one occasion to the police station where the matter was reported. He added that on four other occasions he tried to pay another $40,000 but the payment was not accepted.

According to the police’s case, Sutherland, who is the owner of a Tacoma pick-up, between the dates mentioned in the charge gave Cole, who is known to him, $325,000 to purchase a transmission. Cole collected the money and failed to purchase the item and instead took the money for his own use.

The matter was reported to the Kitty Police Station and investigations were carried out and he was subsequently arrested by the police and admitted to the charge.

Cole was told to return to court on March 20th, 2019 for sentencing and he was placed on $20,000 bail in the interim.