5 years in prison for assaulting a brother
Chitipa First Grade Magistrate’s Court has on November 21, 2022, convicted and sentenced Wiston Simumbo 39, to serve a jail term of 5 years for deliberately wounding his elder brother.
The court heard through State Prosecutor Inspector Oscar Mwamutowe that on August 29, 2022, Wiston assaulted his elder brother whom he accused of failing to settle family disputes.
After the incident, the victim was rushed to Chitipa district hospital where he was admitted.
Despite the receiving medical assistance, the victim lost his left eye.
Appearing before court, the convict pleaded not guilty to the charges of grevious harm contrary to section 238 of penal code. This prompted the state to parade three witness who proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.
In mitigation, the convict asked court leniency citing that he is an orphan, a bread winner of six children and that he committed the offence under the
influence of alcohol.
In submission, Mwamutowe prayed for a stiffer punishment despite the convict being the first offender.
The Prosecutor further said that the offence committed is serious in nature, attracting the maximum penalty of 14 years imprisonment with hard labour and that the victim lost his left eye rendering him a permanent disfigurement.
Passing sentence, Magistrate Manson Phiri concurred with the State and slapped the convict with a 5 year jail term.
Wiston Simumbo hails from Chiwerewere Village in the area of Traditional Authority Mwaulambia in Chitipa District.
