The Senior Resident Magistrate’s Court in Lilongwe has sentenced three men to 14 years imprisonment with hard labor for robbery.

The convicts are identified as Saidi Amidu (27), Blessings Kachepa (34) and Alex Mkwezalamba (35)  were found guilty of breaking into a woman’s house in Area 43 on January 3 this year where they assaulted her with a knife before stealing various household items.

Police prosecutor Gladson Chinseu told the court that the trio made away with a laptop, plasma TV, Bluetooth speaker and PlayStation console. They also forced the victim to give them K1.5 million in cash.

In court, the three admitted to the charges but begged for leniency, saying they have families who depend on them. However, Senior Resident Magistrate Shukran Kumbani dismissed their plea, describing robbery as a serious crime that leaves victims traumatized.

“The nature of this offense calls for a stiff punishment to deter would-be offenders. The court cannot take your plea for mercy when you showed no mercy to your victim,” Kumbani said before passing sentence.

Lingadzi Police Station spokesperson Constable Maria Kumwenda welcomed the ruling, saying it serves as a warning to criminals that the long arm of the law will catch up with them.

The three convicts will serve their 14-year jail terms at Maula Prison.