First Grade Magistrate Court in Mponela has sentenced 37 – year old Limbani Kachingwe to 4 years imprisonment with hard labour for stealing ten chickens.

The court through the state Prosecutor Sergeant Richard Sakala heard that on May 9 2020 at around 23:00 hours, the convict broke into the store of a certain man (name withheld) and went away with 10 chickens valued at K40 000 after being detected by the owner.

Appearing before court, Kachingwe pleaded not guilty to the charge of breaking into a building and committing a felony therein, contrary to Section 312 of the Penal code.

The state paraded three witnesses to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt.

Sakala asked the court to give the accused stiff punishment to deter other would be offenders.

First Grade Magistrate Anthony Banda concured with the state and sentenced the convict to 4 years imprisonment with hard labour.

Kachingwe hails from Chilembwe village in the area of Traditional Aurthority Mkanda in Mchinji District.