ZAMBIA  – The Lusaka Magistrates Court fined a 62-year-old man of Kalingalinga K2,500 for assaulting a priest or in default serve nine months in prison.

The man has been identified as Renard Mwale.

Mwale assaulted an Anglican Church priest, Boniface Baleni, on November 22, 2020, but he pleaded not guilty.

Delivering judgment in the case, magistrate Chiyaika found Mwale guilty and convicted him of assault.

She said the prosecution proved the case beyond all reasonable doubt.

Magistrate Chiyaika ordered Mwale to pay the fine by December 17, 2021 or in default, go in prison for nine months.

She warned Mwale not to commit any similar offence.

Magistrate Chiyaika said she fined Mwale after considering his mitigation and apology which he rendered to the priest, court and society.

She advised Mwale and the priest to continue living in peace.