Liwonde Magistrate Court in Machinga has sentenced a-39-year-old man identified as Dyton Malewera , to Nine years imprisonment for stealing two bags of rice and a push bicycle from Manesi Mpika’s house.

According to Police Prosecutor, Sergeant Joel Kabichi, Malewera broke into the house where he stole two bags of rice and a push bicycle at 9pm while the owner was asleep.

In order to change its identity, Malewera set the bicycle on fire to remove paints, according to Police statements presented in the court.

Members of Community Policing from Traditional Authority Nkoola went to his house to apprehend him but he fled on his motor bicycle until it run out of fuel as member of community policing were chasing him.

“As the Community Policing member were approaching him he took a panga knife from his motor bicycle and cut one of the members on the head as one way of resisting the arrest”, Kabichi told the court.

He pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding but pleaded not guilty to burglary and theft.

The police prosecutor asked the court to give Malewera a stiffer penalty as he has proved to be a dangerous criminal.

Second Grade Magistrate Enock Malura said Malewera deserves a stiffer penalty as he has proved to be a dangerous criminal.

Malewera hails from Matenje village, Traditional Authority Nkoola in Machinga.