The sentencing of Raffique Skerritt has been adjourned to September 26 following his earlier conviction for obtaining money by false pretences.
Skerritt was found guilty by Justice Ann Marie Smith of defrauding a Syrian national of $300,000 in a fraudulent scheme that took place between June and July 2019.
The court had heard that Skerritt exploited the man, falsely claiming he was owed money by the Central Housing and Planning Authority. He promised to repay the $300,000 loan with interest while additionally providing the victim with a house and land.
Skerritt’s fraudulent activities stemmed from an earlier housing development scheme where he had approached CHAPA in 2018 proposing his company build houses under a multi-million-dollar contract. However, trial evidence revealed the company never existed.
Despite receiving $1.59 million from CHAPA for a reduced housing project, Skerritt failed to complete the construction within the agreed timeline, with site inspections revealing substandard work.
