Star

Wannabe warrior’s jail term

By Melissa Meehan and Lia Bichel

4th February 2010 11:00:07 AM

COLIN Maurice Gibbons, of Dandenong, has been sentenced under federal law for impersonating a Vietnam veteran.

Gibbons was found guilty of impersonating a returned soldier, improper use of service decorations and impersonating a member of the defence force and was sentenced to a jail term of four months.

Three and a half months were suspended for 12 months, with 14 days to be served.

Police were made aware of Gibbons’ activities by the Dandenong RSL’s John Filmer, who said justice had been served.

“We’ve been waiting for this for a while,” Mr Filmer said.

“It’s only fitting that justice got him. It’s particularly important, especially for all our boys who served and lost their lives in Vietnam.”

Dandenong Magistrates’ Court said Gibbons had lodged an appeal soon after the verdict was reached, putting a stay on the jail term.