Nkhunga First Grade Magistrate Court in Nkhotakota has convicted and fined Samuel Mwakasure, 25, for theft by trick.

Sergeant Mussa Sauteni told the court that on November 18, 2023 at Dwambazi Trading Centre in the district, Samuel pocketed K700,000 cash from Wanangwa Chinkhwambala by tricking the victim.

The court heard that the convict had told the victim that he had 10 bags of fertilizer which were being sold at K70,000 each to which the victim paid the suspect K700,000 for all the 10 bags offered.

The convict then collected the money and told the victim to wait for a few minutes to bring the fertilizer but he immediately vanished.

Sauteni further told the court that when the matter was reported to police, the convict was man hunted and arrested after a tip-off from well-wishers that he was in Mzuzu City.

Appearing before the court, the convict pleaded not guilty to the charges leveled against him but could not challenge the accusations.

In mitigation, Mwakasure asked for leniency stating that he was a first offender.

In submission, State Prosecutor Sergeant Mussa Sauteni asked for a stiffer punishment considering that the convict planned the operation and betrayed the trust people have on fertilizer vendors who, on the other hand, play an important role in farming process in the country.

He added that the victim, being a farmer, has been disturbed this farming season and has suffered great loss.

Passing sentence, First Grade Magistrate Kingsley Buleya ordered Mwakasure to pay a fine of K700,000 as compensation to the victim or serve a jail term of 24 months imprisonment with hard labor.