Photo: Lynn Williams
A Gqeberha Magistrate who sentenced an accountant to 22 years behind bars for stealing R52 million from two Spar franchises, on Friday dismissed his leave to appeal against his sentence.
In March, Jonathan Blow was sentenced to prison in the Gqeberha Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on two counts of theft.
Blow stole millions from the Sundridge and Despatch Superspars between September 2020 and March 2022 while he was the accountant for the two businesses.
In a statement in support of his leave to appeal, Blow said the sentence meted down by Magistrate Vuziwe Mnyani was "shockingly inappropriate."
According to Blow, Mnyani over-emphasized the interests of the community and under-emphasized his personal circumstances.
State advocate Lise Keech, who opposed the application, said when Blow pleaded guilty, he was well aware of what the minimum prescribed sentences were.
According to Keech, the onus was on the defence to prove that there were exceptional circumstances that would cause the court to deviate from the minimum prescribed sentences.
She added that anyone who steals R52 m has to deal with the consequences of their actions.
Before Mnyani dismissed Blow's appeal, she said his personal circumstances, the interests of society, and the nature of the crime were dealt with during judgment and sentencing.
Blow, who was late in bringing his leave to appeal application before the court, also applied for condonation, which was granted.
He said he had initially planned on hiring a private attorney, but his family could not afford it.
Blow, who admitted to having a gambling addiction, was not present in court on Friday.
Also read: Bay accountant to spend 22 years behind bars for theft
