The Dowa First Grade Magistrate’s Court has convicted and sentenced an 18-year-old woman to 2 years imprisonment with hard labour for stealing a child.
According to Sub Inspector Gladson M’bumpha, Dowa Police Public Relations Officer, court heard that the convict Jacqueline Tsirizani on July 8, 2020 at Dowa District Hospital in Dowa District stole a month old child from Magret Beston.
“Appearing before court on Tuesday, the convict pleaded guilty to a charge of theft of a child contrary to Section 167 of the Penal Code and pleaded for leniency, saying she is a first offender.
“However, state prosecutor Sub Inspector Agnes Mphinga pleaded with the court for a meaningful sentence although the convict is a first offender and the sentence would deter other would be offenders.” Said M’bumpha
According to M’bumpha, the First Grade Magistrate Amran Phiri concurred with the state’s submission for a meaningful sentence, hence sentenced the convict to 2 years imprisonment with hard labour as a warning to other would be offenders.
Tsirizani comes from Chimkanda Village in the area of Traditional Authority Msakambewa in Dowa District.
In a related development, the same court has convicted and sentenced 27-year-old Hamoni Mtengula to 18 months imprisonment with hard labour for unlawful wounding.
“The court through state prosecutor Sub Inspector Triza Kalonjere heard that the convict on July 19 2020 at Jason Village in the district of Dowa unlawfully wounded Geleson Chiwoko.
The convict pleaded guilty to a charge of unlawful wounding contrary to Section 241 of the Penal Code.” Explained M’bumpha
Third Grade Magistrate Harrison Stick said the offence is serious in nature, hence the convict deserved a stiff punishment.
“He then sentenced the convict to 18 months imprisonment with hard labour to send as a warning to others with similar deeds.” Indicated M’bumpha
Mtengula comes from Jason Village in the area of Traditional Authority Msakambewa in Dowa District.
-BeyondFM
