The Senior Resident Magistrate court in Mangochi has convicted and sentenced 27-year-old Dickson Lanjesi, a teacher at Mtamila Full Primary School, for causing grievous harm to his ex-wife.

The court heard through the State Prosecutor Sub Inspector Emmanuel Kambwiri that the couple divorced in December 2020, a move that did not go down well with the convict who started sending intimidating messages to the ex-wife who is also a teacher at Mtengeza Primary School.

It is reported that in March this year, the two seek counsel at Mangochi Police Victim Support Unit for the same after the ex-wife lodged a complaint and Lanjesi vowed to change.

He failed to change and visited the ex-wife without her knowledge.

He found her sitting on the veranda and immediately he produced a knife and stabbed her in the neck before he escaped.

The victim was rushed to Mangochi District Hospital where she battled life for 2 months.

The matter was later reported at Mangochi Police Station leading to Lanjesi’s arrest.

Appearing in court, the accused person pleaded guilty to the charges of intimidation and acts intended to cause grievous harm contrary to Sections 88 and 235 of the Penal code, respectively.

In his mitigation, Lanjesi asked for the court’s leniency saying that he was a teacher and his career would be ruined if sent to prison.

The state slammed his plea, justifying that his intentions were evil and could have cost an innocent person’s life hence he deserved a custodial sentence.

Delivering the ruling, Senior Resident Magistrate Joshua Nkhono concurred with the state and sentenced Lanjesi to 18 months for the first count of intimidation and 36 months for the second count, and both sentences to run concurrently.

Dickson Lanjesi hails from Chimpini village Traditional Authority Mlumbe in Zomba.