6 Years In Jail For Bicycle Stealing
The Senior Resident Magistrate’s Court in Mzuzu on Wednesday, April 19, 2023 convicted and sentenced 23-year-old Haward Kabaye to 6 years imprisonment with hard labour for stealing a bicycle.
The court through state prosecutor Sub Inspector Chikondi Lipato heard that on December 24, 2022 at Chibanja Location in Mzuzu City, the convict stole a bicycle valued at K 145,000.00 belonging to Steve Phiri.
After some months, the complainant coincidentally bumped into the convict with the stolen bicycle. He managed to arrested the convict and brought him to police for further investigations.
Appearing before court, Kabaye pleaded not guilty to the charge, prompting the state to parade two witnesses who proved the case beyond reasonable doubt and he was convicted accordingly.
In mitigation, the convict prayed for leniency, saying he is a first offender.
In his submission, state prosecutor Sub Insp Lipato asked the court to slap the convict with a stiffer punishment, stating that the offence was well planned.
Passing sentence, Senior Resident Magistrate Issah Maulidi concurred with the state’s submission and went on sentencing the convict to 6 years imprisonment with hard labour to deter other would-be offenders.
Kabaye comes from Yona Village in the area of Traditional Authority Mwaulambia in Chitipa District.
