Grandad took dead man's card after drug overdose
A 56-year-old grandad went on a spending spree using a bank card belonging to a man who died from a drug overdose at his home. Garfield Wilson, formerly of Benmore Avenue in Edgbaston, Birmingham, and now of London, was found guilty of five counts of fraud by false representation at Birmingham Magistrates' Court on April 21 this year.
Victim travelled to Birmingham for night out
Martin Kutsanzira had travelled to Birmingham with his partner for a night out on March 28 last year. He was carrying his sister's bank card. In the early hours of the following day, he met Wilson and went to Wilson's home to take drugs. During the night, Mr Kutsanzira used the card, but later suffered a fatal overdose.
Transactions totalled £220.09
After Mr Kutsanzira's death on March 29, Wilson used the card for five transactions: £81.30 at Tesco in Aston, £34.78 at the Nike Store in Birmingham, £22.99 at KFC, £4.29 at Beetoo International Supermarket, and £76.73 at an Esso petrol station. The total was £220.09.
Prosecutor Alexandra Youster told the court on Monday, July 13: 'During the course of the night he (Mr Kutsanzira) appears to have used the card. He leaves a hotel in the early hours at which point he encounters the defendant. He attends the defendant’s home address where drugs are consumed. At some point Mr Kutsanzira passes away after a drug overdose. The defendant uses Martin’s bank card and makes five transactions with a bank card.'
Previous conviction for drug supply
Miss Youster noted Wilson had a previous conviction for the supply of Class A drugs in 2007. His defence argued that was not relevant. She said: 'There was a high level of impact – the victim was particularly vulnerable as he was deceased. I don’t think he could get more vulnerable. The impact on his sister as well, seeing transactions when her brother had died.' She asked for £650 costs, noting the money had not been repaid to the stores.
Defence: Wilson stopped drugs, has family support
Farzana Begum, defending, said: 'Mr Wilson is unemployed and in receipt of benefits – Universal Credit. His sister has travelled with him today to give him support. He moved from Birmingham to London. The main reason he moved was for support. He’s completely stopped the intake of illegal substances. He does have family in Birmingham, nine children and two grandchildren. He has full contact with them.'
Magistrates impose community order
Magistrates handed Wilson an 18-month community order with 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days. He was also fined £120 with a £114 surcharge and ordered to pay £220.09 compensation plus £300 costs. The chair of the bench told him: 'It’s nice to see you have support from your family and the fact you have come to a turning point and stopped taking drugs. Well done. Try to stay on the straight and narrow.' Wilson replied: 'God bless you, thank you very much.'
