Second Grade Magistrate Court in Phalombe, has convicted and sentenced a 48-year-old man, to four years imprisonment with hard labour for seriously assaulting his wife thereby affecting her urinal bladder after the two picked a fight over house property.

Phalombe Police Station Public Relations Officer, Jimmy Kapanja, has confirmed the development and identified the convict as Boniface Misomali who hails from M’bodi Village, Traditional Authority Mkhumba in the district.

According to Kapanja, the court faulted Misomali after conducting himself in acts intended to cause grievous harm.

State Prosecutor, Sub Inspector Lawrence Kambale,told the court that on January 21, 2024, Misomali went to the victim’s house to collect his remaining belongings as they were on separation.

“Upon arrival at the victim’s house, the conflict erupted as the convict started collecting things that were not his. This did not go well with the victim and resulted into a fight. In the process, the victim managed to run away for her safety and assistance from police,” Kapanja said.

He added that on her way back from police, she met the convict who assaulted her that she became unconscious.

Well-wishers came to her rescue by taking her to police and was referred to Rev. John Chilembwe Hospital where she was admitted and discharged the following day.

Kapanja said following the assault, the victim developed a complication to her urinal bladder and she now fails to control the call of nature.

In the court, Misomali pleaded guilty before Second Grade Magistrate Steve Samati.

In mitigation, he asked for leniency saying he was a first offender and a bread winner to his family.

In submission, the state quashed the mitigation factors saying as husband he was supposed to take good care of his wife and asked the court to give him a stiffer penalty.

Passing judgement, Samati concurred with the state by convicting and sentencing Misomali to four years imprisonment with hard labour.