Fri, 21 Jul 2017 10:05:43 +0000
By CHINTU MALAMBO
THE Lusaka High court has sentenced a 23-year-old man of Lusaka to one year simple imprisonment for theft of a mobile phone and K50 cash.
Before High Court Judge Bubile Lungu was Patrick Mumba, who pleaded guilty to stealing a mobile phone and cash belonging to Kelvin Daka also of Lusaka on November 17 last year.
Particulars of the offence were that Mumba, on the material date with other unknown persons stole a mobile phone and K50, all together valued at K250 from Mr Daka.
At about 21.00 hours, Mumba went to buy French chips from a street vendor in Chaisa and after he had walked a short distance he grabbed the victim by the hand and stole a mobile phone and K50.
The court heard that Mumba then fled with the items which he forcefully obtained from the victim.
The matter was reported to police and a few days later, Mumba was apprehended and taken to Chainda police station where he was detained and charged with theft from person.
In mitigation, Legal Aid Board counsel Grace Mukulwamutiyo pleaded with the court that the convict was still very youthful and that he was a man of responsibility as he had dependants.
She said he was remorseful for his action which he demonstrated through a plea of guilty.
“We pray that this court exercises some leniency as the accused is still very youthful, he is a man of responsibility as he is married with one child,
“My lady, he is a first offender who is very remorseful for his actions and has demonstrated this through a plea of guilty to avoid wasting this court’s time. Our plea is that this court exercises maximum leniency and accord him a second chance at life,” she pleaded.
“I have carefully considered mitigation that you are still quite vey youthful, a first offender who by law deserves leniency, pleaded guilty to avoid wasting this court’s time and a lengthy trial, I therefore sentence you to one year simple imprisonment from the time of your arrest,” Justice Lungu said
