The First Grade Magistrate’s Court at Mponela in Dowa has convicted and sentenced a man identified as Josephy Mbwekete, 20, to eight years jail term for robbery and intimidation.

The court heard through state prosecutor Assistant Superintendent Gradys Jentala that on March 23, 2021 the reporter met with Mbwekete at Mondwe trading centre at a beer drinking place where the accused wanted money from the reporter to be exchanged with soya beans once the crop reaps.

The reporter refused to give him the money as a result quarrying began and well wishers stopped them since they were all drunk.

On March 24, 2021 both the reporter and the accused met again on the way where he violently attacked the reporter and robbed him his wrist watch, t-shirt and one pair of shoes, all valued to K31,000 and he further intimidated the victim that he is need of him.

Appearing before court Mbwekete pleaded not guilty to a charge of robbery which contravenes Section 301 of the Penal Code which forced the state to parade three witnesses to prove the case.

Satisfied with the evidence, the court convicted him.

First Grade Magistrate Anthony Banda concurred with the state prosecutor and slapped the convict with eight years jail term.

Mbwekete hails from Mondwe Village in the area of Traditional Authority Kayembe in Dowa district.