By Makokwa Clara Muyendekwa
Stealing a door has landed a 28 year old man of Choma’s Kamunza compound in prison for four months with hard.
Morgan Simukoko was charged with theft contrary to section 272 of the Penal code chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia.
Particulars of the offense are that the accused person did steal one door at Choma District belonging to Trevor Kasongo who is the complainant in the matter. The property was valued at K350.
The accused person who had pleaded not guilty to the charge had told the court that he had just picked the door near the workshop but later said he had been given by his friend.
It is alleged that the accused person stole the property in September 20, 2021 around 21:00 hours at a workshop and was apprehended by the security guard on duty who called for help and took the accused to Police.
After hearing five testimonies against the accused person who among them were security guards and the arresting officer, Senior Resident Magistrate Peter Mungala found the accused with a case to answer.
In his mitigation the accused person pleaded for lenience saying he had learnt how bad prison is during the time he was remanded.
He added that he had three children who are still young and would suffer if he was sent to prison.
Magistrate Mungala considered that the door was recovered at full value and that the accused was a first time offender.
He sentenced the accused to four months imprisonment with hard labor and ordered that the door be given back to the rightful owner.
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