Likoma Second Grade Magistrate Court has convicted and sentenced a 27- year-old man, Limbani Ambali, from Chingole Village in Traditional Authority Mwadama in Nkhotakota, to 32 months imprisonment with hard labour (IHL) for breaking and unlawful wounding.

Police spokesperson for Likoma, Sub-Inspector Mcliff Ngulube, said the court, through State Prosecutor, Sergeant Sefu Phiri, heard that Ambali broke into a bar belonging to Thomas Tambala and went away with goods worth MK400, 000.

The court heard that on June 17, 2020 the offender was caught in the act by the barman who sleeps in the bar that had shouted to alert and seek help from his boss.

Phiri said a struggle ensued as the suspect used all tactics to overpower the barman and his boss. The suspect managed to escape after wounding the barman and his boss.

He was arrested later in the morning.

During court proceedings, the suspect denied all the charges until the court had found the suspect guilty after parading three witnesses who proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.

The police prosecutor asked the court for a stiffer punishment, saying the accused was a habitual offender.

In mitigation, Ambali pleaded for leniency, saying he was drunk and looks after his younger sister.

“However, Second Grade Magistrate Ford Watch Mkandawire quashed the mitigation factors, saying there was no excuse for his actions.

“He then sentenced the accused to 32 months imprisonment with hard labour.