Thieving driver jailed 8 months

MULENGA MUSONDA writes@sunzambianTHE Choma Magistrates Court has convicted a 26 years old Driver and given him eight months imprisonment for burglarizing a house and getting away with household goods valued at K700.Resident Magistrate Ethel Phiri convicted Richard Changwe of Choma after she was convinced that the State had proved their case beyond reasonable doubt.In this matter, Changwe was appearing in the Choma Subordinates Court charged with Burglary and Theft contrary to the Laws of Zambia.Particulars of the offence are that, Changwe on the night of September 15 jointly and whilst acting with others unknown broke into Abraham Shanzi’s house and stole a Television set, a Decoder and other appliances all valued at K700 the property of the named Shanzi.According to facts on record the accused was apprehended during awkward hours of the same night by the neighbourhood watch in the area. After he led them to his place, the looted home appliances were recovered in his house.When he appeared for judgment before Court, Magistrate Phiri found it incumbent that Changwe be sent to Prison for his criminal act.Despite the accused person’s Defense Lawyer Ernest Chilufya from Legal Aid Board appealing to the Court that his client was a first offender and the circumstances of the offence were not aggravating, the Court slapped Changwe with 8 months imprisonment with hard labour.The sentence was effective date of arrest.