Garfield Wilson, a 56-year-old grandfather, was convicted after going on a spending spree using a deceased man’s bank card following a fatal drug overdose. The court heard how Wilson, who was unemployed, invited Martin Kutsanzira into his Birmingham home, where they both took drugs. Tragically, Kutsanzira overdosed and died at Wilson’s residence.
The victim had traveled to Birmingham with his partner for a night out on March 28 last year, carrying his sister’s bank card with him. Early the next day, he met Wilson and took drugs at his home before passing away. Following Kutsanzira’s death, Wilson unlawfully used the victim’s bank card for multiple transactions totaling £220.09.
Prosecutor Alexandra Youster detailed that Wilson made five separate purchases with the victim’s sister’s card on March 29, including £81.30 at Tesco in Aston, £34.78 at a Nike store, £22.99 at KFC, £4.29 at Beetoo International Supermarket, and £76.73 at an Esso petrol station. Wilson denied the charges but was found guilty of five counts of fraud by false representation.
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Wilson’s criminal record includes a 2007 conviction for supplying Class A drugs; however, his defense argued this was irrelevant to the current case. The prosecution emphasized the profound impact on the victim’s family, especially the victim’s sister, who saw the fraudulent transactions after her brother’s death.
The court heard that Wilson is unemployed and reliant on Universal Credit benefits. His defense highlighted that he has since stopped using illegal substances and has relocated from Birmingham to London for support. He maintains contact with his nine children and two grandchildren.
Magistrates sentenced Wilson to an 18-month community order with 25 rehabilitation activity days, a £120 fine plus a £114 surcharge, and ordered him to pay £220.09 in compensation along with £300 in legal costs. The bench acknowledged Wilson’s efforts to turn his life around, encouraging him to stay on the right path.
In response, Wilson expressed gratitude, saying, “God bless you, thank you very much.”