Principal Resident Magistrate Godfrey Balaka has convicted and sentenced Christopher Wilson for four and half years for illegal possession of a spacemen of listed spaces contrary to section 86(1) as read with section 110B(b) of the national and wildlife Act. Cap 66.07 of the laws of Malawi and part 111B.
Passing the judgement , principal Resident Magistrate cited over the how pangolins are being maltreated , in the country.
” I understand that the convict is the first offender , he has also pleaded guilty.
” But pangolins are being maltreated in the country,” reads part of the sentence.
The Magistrate also added that the nature of the case was felony and it takes maximum sentence of thirty years, but he considered that Christopher already stayed longer in a remand , and he was first offender and he pleaded guilty.
But before the judgement , region prosecutor for South East , inspector Michael Paulino prayed for stiffer punshment to deter the other offenders .
Paulino observed that convict had already ill intention over the spacemen as he took it from mwanza to Chikwawa looking for market.
But defense lawyer council Humphrey Panyala prayed for lenient as the person was 46 years old , first offender, and case he committed was not worse as pangolin was found alive.
Panyala asked the court to give one and half years custodial and suspend to community service.
Magistrate Balaka gave four and half years after sucrutinzing those sentiments from prosecution and defense.
Christopher Wilson comes from Kalanga Village , TA Govati in mwanza district.
