Man slapped 42 months for Child stealing
The Mzuzu Senior Resident Magistrate Godfrey Nyirenda, has convicted and sentenced a 25 year-old man, Junior Bwanali, to 42 months imprisonment with hard labour for the offence of Child stealing which is contrary to section 167 of the penal code.
The court through Child State Prosecutor Sergeant Christina Shadreck heard that during the month of May 2022 during the day within Mzuzu City, Bwanali met the victim aged 6 years, who was on his way back from Masasa Primary School and told him that he is his father’s relatives and the victim was convinced, he later took to a certain Bar at Chiwavi location.
At midnight some well-wishers recognize that the man was having that small boy and asked him why and he responded that he was his son then later on after quizing him, he failed explain properly prompting the well wishers to call the Police who quickly rushed in to arrest him.
During court proceedings, Bwanali pleaded not guilty prompting the state to parade four witnesses who testified against him.
Satisfied with the evidence, Magistrate Godfrey Nyirenda convicted him and in mitigation prayed for leniency saying that he is first offender.
In submission, state prosecutor Shadreck prayed for a stiff punishment to deter other would be offenders.
The victim has been disturbed and he will live to remember through out his life, said Shadreck.
Passing the sentence, Magistrate Nyirenda quashed Bwanali’s mitigation factors and awarded him with 42 months imprisonment with hard labour as a lesson to him.
The convict hails from Bwanali village under Traditional Authority Karonga in Salima.
