WC court sentences couple to 26 years direct imprisonment for fraud
Ricardo and Desiree Bowkers were found guilty of defrauding an insurance company last month by making false claims.
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CAPE TOWN - Oudtshoorn Regional Court has sentenced a couple up to 26 years of direct imprisonment for insurance fraud and money laundering on Friday.
Ricardo and Desiree Bowkers were found guilty of defrauding an insurance company last month by making false claims.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Ricardo was serving a 12-year sentence for fraud which he committed between 2002 and 2016.
According to the NPA, he was able to defraud the insurance company while in prison with the help of his wife.
"Ricardo has been sentenced to sixteen years direct imprisonment for thirteen counts of fraud, and 10 years imprisonment for nine counts of money laundering. The sentences will not run concurrently, effectively bringing his sentence to 26 years direct imprisonment.
"The court ordered him to serve two-thirds of his sentence before he could be considered for parole," said the NPA Spokesperson, Eric Ntabazalila.
Ntabazalila added that Desiree received a lesser sentence for her part in the crime.
"Desiree was convicted on nine counts of fraud and sentenced to seven years of direct imprisonment. She was convicted on eight counts of money laundering and sentenced to six years of direct imprisonment. The court ordered the sentences to run concurrently, effectively sentencing her to seven years of direct imprisonment. It also ordered her unfit to possess a firearm."