The Dowa Third Grade Magistrate’s Court has convicted and sentenced a 24-year-old man to 20 months imprisonment with hard labour for stealing bridge materials.

State prosecutor Sub Inspector Triza Kalonjere told the court that the convict Livingstone Chambakata during the night of August, 2, 2020 at Lumbadzi Bridge in Dowa District stole 40 planks from Lumbadzi Bridge valued at K200 000 belonging to Chigwere Community.

“She further told the court that the convict was found removing timbers from Lumbadzi Bridge and the matter was reported to police, “the prosecutor told the court.

Dowa Police Public Relations Officer (PRO), Sub Inspector Gladson M’bumpha said during his court appearance, the convict pleaded guilty to a charge of theft contrary to Section 278 of the Penala Code after the state paraded two witnesses.

Passing sentence, Third Grade Magistrate Harrison Stick concurred with the state’s submission to pass a stiff punishment to the convict, adding that he is not development conscious.

He then sentenced him to 20 months imprisonment with hard labour to send as a warning to other would-be offenders.

Lingstone Chambakata comes from Chapata Village in the area of Traditional Authority Chimutu in Lilongwe.