[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Ju Cheol-in] A man in his 50s who obstructed police officers by falsely claiming to be infected with the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was sentenced to prison.
The Changwon District Court Criminal Division 4 (Chief Judge Lee Heon) announced on the 7th that A (53), who was tried on charges including fraud, was sentenced to 1 year and 6 months in prison and ordered to undergo treatment and custody.
On April 7 of this year, A refused to pay for a meal at a restaurant in Gimhae, Gyeongnam Province, and when the police arrived, he lied, saying, "I was diagnosed with COVID-19 at a hospital in Daegu a week ago."
From January to April this year, A repeatedly avoided paying for meals and lodging or stole valuables at restaurants and motels by pretending to be an employee of Korea Electric Power Corporation.
With 35 prior convictions, he was confirmed to suffer from a psychotic disorder due to alcohol addiction, impairing his ability to distinguish objects and make decisions.
At that time, he was suffering from auditory hallucinations and paranoia, believing someone had infected him with COVID-19.
The court stated, "He committed fraud and theft against multiple victims and obstructed the duties of police officers and firefighters performing legitimate public duties. However, he committed these crimes in a state of diminished mental capacity, and the amount of damage was small."
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