Ali G lookalike 'fooled carnival organisers'

A businessman allegedly conned organisers of a Welsh carnival that he had booked Ali G to appear - only to send a lookalike instead.

Thomas Sinclair Jnr is now in the dock for making false statements.

Sinclair claimed that Sacha Baron Cohen would ride on a carnival float through the streets of Haverfordwest, before going to an evening disco.

The 24-year-old even produced a "contract" confirming the £3,000 booking, The Western Mail reports today.

But prosecutor Catherine Richards told Swansea Crown Court yesterday that he had acutally booked lookalike Dat Ali Gee for £1,000.

Carnival organisers were taken in and issued a press release, but when local newspapers checked with the real Ali G's management company, the deception was revealed, the court heard.

When trading standards officers investigated, they found a telephone number Sinclair had for Ali G's "agent" was actually the number of PC World in London, the jury was told.

The trial continues.

Published: 4 Dec 2003