A 23-year-old man has been sentenced to two and half years in prison for stealing K18, 000 and two cellphones.

The case hearing took place at Limbe Magistrate Court where the suspect, Witness Paul pleaded not guilty to theft charges.

According to Limbe Police Deputy Public Relations Officer Wisdom Nhlane, Paul committed the offence on 12 June in Blantyre.

“He violently robbed a man of two cellphones and money amounting to K18, 000 at BCA Hill in the city of Blantyre, confessed Nhlane.

Despite denying the charges, Paul was later sentenced after the state prosecutor Sub-Inspector Nachuma had revealed facts that were reasonable.

Upon sentencing, magistrate Khobiri handed him a 30-month jail term saying it should act as a lesson to others.

Paul hails from Kilaliki village, Tradirtional Authority Mlumbe in Zomba.