Student faces jail term

The student who conned a Welsh town into thinking Ali G would make a guest appearance at their carnival, only to book a lookalike instead, is now facing a jail term.

Tom Sinclair has been found guilty of making a false statement, despite denying the charges at Swansea Crown Court.

The 24-year-old pretended to have a contract confirming that Sacha Baron Cohen would appear in his most famous guise at the Haverfordwest Town Carnival.

Instead he booked a lookalike, Dat Ali Gee.

Sinclair's firm, Evolution Events Promotions, had hoped the presence of 'Ali G' would attract 2,000 people to an evening disco at £8 a time.

At his trial the judge, Mr Recorder Rhys Rowlands, said he took the charges "very seriously".

He said: "I warn you, this is not going to be taken lightly. It was an attempt to brazen your way through and to deceive Mr Howlett and the public.

"You expected 2,000 people to attend the disco at £8 a ticket. You used a forged document and that is something the court is not going to take lightly. I view this as a serious matter."

Sentencing was adjourned until January 23.

Published: 9 Dec 2003