Race cheat is jailed

A MARATHON impostor who swiped a lost race number to cross the finishing line was jailed for 16 weeks yesterday.

Homeless Stanislaw Skupian, 33, wore Jake Halliday’s number after spotting it on the ground just yards from the end of the 26.2-mile London race.

Then he was pictured celebrating with a finisher’s medal which he dedicated to his son and other homeless people, Uxbridge magistrates were told.

Mr Halliday, who had been running for charity Bloodwise, accidentally dropped his number after stopping to take off his T-shirt in the heat.

Skupian, who came to Britain from Poland 11 years ago, admitted one count of fraud by false representation and three unrelated thefts. Jameela Jamroz, defending, said he had ambitions to run in the race and added: “He picked up the identifier thinking this was his opportunity – a dream come true.” CON: Skupian with medal