Shift manager jailed for theft after gambling on aviator platform

Yeukai Karengezeka
Court Correspondent
A 28-year-old Bakers Inn shift manager, William Gonese, has been sentenced to 10 months in prison after stealing US$3 420 from his workplace during a single night shift to fund online gambling on the Aviator platform.
Gonese pleaded guilty to the theft charges when he appeared before Harare Magistrate Ms Lynne Chinzou. Initially, he was sentenced to 30 months imprisonment.
However, 12 months of the sentence were suspended for five years on condition of good behavior, while another eight months were suspended on the condition that he pays restitution.
Gonese will serve an effective 10 months behind bars.
The court heard that he took the money from the company safe and used it for online betting, intending to return the funds if he won. Unfortunately, his gambling venture failed, leading to his arrest and conviction.