A 40 year old man Doshan Tchongwe has been convicted and sentenced to 20 months imprisonment with had labor for attempting to escape from lawful custody in Rumphi district.

According to reports, Tchongwe was appearing before Rumphi Magistrate Court answering charges of theft when he committed the offence.

It is reported that when the convict heard adjournment of his case, he jumped out from the dock and started running away but he was caught by police officers who were at the court premises.

In his submission, police prosecutor Sub Inspector Malumbo Jere stated that Tchongwe deserves a maximum sentence of escaping from lawful custody.

Concurring with the police prosecutor’s submission, First Grade Magistrate Cuthbert Phiri slapped him with 20 months imprisonment with hard labour as a signal of the would-be offenders.