MICHAEL FRANCIS CLAIMED he was placed under stress when he changed his version of his original statement given to the police.
Francis, 41, a marble stone sculptor of a Gold Street address, was given a nine month suspended sentence for creating public mischief.
He pleaded not guilty at first to the charge but later changed his plea to guilty claiming he was put under stress because he was worrying about the safety of his family.
His attorney argued that Francis had not read the statement before signing it and gave the right testimony.
Allegations against Francis are that he was a witness to a murder on January 7, 2005. He gave a statement to the police on October 13, 2005 but gave evidence in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Gun Court contrary to the written statement he gave the police on Tuesday, November 15, 2005.
The RM then cautioned the officer to charge the accused for creating public mischief. He was brought before the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court on Wednesday when he was sentenced.
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