A 22-year-old man in Dowa has been sentenced to 20 months in prison with hard labour for allegedly assaulting his 22-year-old wife.

Dowa Police Public Relations Officer (PRO), Sub Inspector Gladson M’bumpha identified the convict as Yufo Kolli.

According to M’bumpha, the court through state prosecutor Ezara Bakili heard that the convict on December 15 2020 at Makumbi Village in Dowa District assaulted his wife Nasitazia Kamsepa.

“The court further heard that the victim and the convict were living as a family but the two have been having quarrels since the convict married another wife and the victim was not happy with the idea to be on polygamy and the two separated,” reported M’bumpha.

The state prosecutor further told the court that on this particular day, the victim went to Dzaleka Market and when she arrived at Makumbi Village, she was surprised to see her husband who she was on separation coming from an ambush. The convict started assaulting the victim until she got conscious.

The victim was taken to Dzaleka Health Centre by well wishers and the matter was later reported to police.

In court, the convict pleaded guilty to a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm contrary to Section 254 of the Penal Code.

Passing sentence, First Grade Magistrate Amran Phiri sentenced the convict to 20 months imprisonment with hard labour as a warning to other would be offenders.

The convict comes from Tembwe Village in the area of Traditional Authority Msakambewa in Dowa District.