Couple fakes kidnap to get father's cash

A couple will serve a two-year probation sentence after they were found guilty of trying to extort one their parents.

Douglas Vusaka Jimugeni and Ann Wambui Maina pleaded guilty before Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Lucy Mbugua.

They were charged with attempting to extort Sh100,000 from Wambui’s father Joseph Maina Mwangi.

They were put on probation after the prosecution informed the court that Mr Mwangi had forgiven the accused and would prefer a non-custodial sentence.

It is alleged the woman pretended to have been kidnapped and therefore they called their father asking for ransom.

The court heard Wambui pretended to have been kidnapped and the two called the father asking for a ransom. They also sent text messages to the complainant, claiming Wambui would be killed in two days if Sh100,000 was not sent via M-Pesa.

The crime was committed on diverse dates between March 25 and April 2 at Kabiria in Kawangware, Nairobi.

The complainant reported the matter to the police and on April 8, Jimugeni was traced to a hospital where he works.

Upon interrogation, the accused did not deny the allegations. He said he had been living with Wambui as husband and wife.

Prosecutor Dancun Ondimu said although the accused did not have any previous criminal records, the offence they had committed was serious.

“The witness, who is father to the woman, had earlier expressed willingness to withdraw the complaint,” he said.

In her ruling, the magistrate said she had considered all the mitigation and that the accused appeared to be remorseful.