Man slapped 3 years for Grievous Harm

The Rumphi Second Grade Magistrate court has convicted and sentenced Bright Msonda, 30, to 3 years imprisonment with hard labour for the offence of grevious harm.

The court heard through state prosecutor Sub Inspector Malumbo Jere, that the offence was committed on November 1, 2021 at Thunda area in Livingstonia.

Jere further told the court that Msonda first sprinkled beer before he started assaulting the victim for the reason best known to himself.

In the process, the victim lost four front teeth, and was taken to Gordon Mission Hospital where they referred him to Mzuzu Central Hospital for further treatment.

The court also heard that Msonda (convict) was at large since 2021 after committing the offence, only to be arrested in December, 2022.

In court, Msonda pleaded not guilty a development that prompted the state to parade three witnesses who prove the case beyond reasonable doubt.

In mitigation, the convict pleaded for leniency saying that he is his family’s breadwinner.

In submission, the state asked the court to give the convict a stiffer sentence saying that the offence is a serious one.

The state further said that the convict’s actions cost the victim his four teeth.

Passing sentence, Second Grade Magistrate Chikumbutso Kachipande quashed Msonda mitigations.

She then went on to sentence Msonda to 3 years imprisonment with hard labour.

The convict comes from Magwilo Village under Traditional Authority Kachulu in Rumphi District.