FORMER Caps United owner, Twine Phiri who landed in the dock after he failed to settle over $20 000 alimony arrears was Tuesday sentenced to 10 months imprisonment by magistrate Lazini Ncube.
Phiri escaped custodial sentence after his sentence was wholly suspended on conditions.
He was given an ultimatum to clear his arrears amounting $24 000 by May 30 this year or risk going to jail.
He, however, has four more pending dockets at the same courts.
It was his defence that the above was not the actual amount as he successfully applied for downward variation but prosecutor Progress Maringamoyo managed to prove state case beyond reasonable doubt.
Phiri begged the court not to jail him saying he was the breadwinner for his extended family, including the family of his deceased brother.
He also said he was a prominent figure in the society as such custodial sentence would tarnish his image and career.
Phiri told court that he was not a wilful defaulter adding that he even transferred $3 000 for school fees for his three children on Monday.
He also said Caps united owes him a substantial amount of money which he expects to receive in three months to clear all his arrears.
In aggravation, Maringamoyo argued that Phiri was a wilful defaulter.
“He is not a first offender and it has grown to be part of his genes,” said the prosecutor.
Maringamoyo begged the court to give Phiri a short period to clear his arrears saying two weeks were enough as his children need something for sustenance.
Phiri was last year dragged to court by his ex-wife Keresiya for failing to pay maintenance arrears.
Phiri was ordered to pay $2 913 for the upkeep of his children in March last year.
Court heard he only managed to pay $3, 600 between April and November yet he was supposed to pay $24 680.