Principle Resident Magistrate court in Lilongwe has on September 29, 2023, convicted and sentenced Peter Daniel, 21and Shaddreck Charles, 23 to 15 years imprisonment with hard labour each for robbery.

The duo committed the offence in August 24, 2023, at Assemblies of God church in area 49 Gulliver.

The court heard through Police prosecutor Sergeant Gradson Chimseu that on the material day, at around 02:00 hours, the duo broke into a church after tying up the security guard manning the place before going away with all public addressing system worth over 4.7 million kwacha.

Chimseu further told the court that one of the convict happened to be the former security guard at the facility who took advantage of knowing the place well.

The duo were convicted on their own plea of guilty.

In submission, the state prosecutor played for stiffer custodial sentence saying that they are dangerous criminals that they are not supposed to be in society. He also told the court that the church is a sacred place and stealing from it is uncalled for.

In mitigation, the duo pleaded with the court for leniency saying that they have families who depend on them and that they are still young and willing to further their education.

Passing judgement, Principle Resident Magistrate Rodrick Michongwe concurred with the state that a church is indeed a sacred place. Michongwe quashed the accused’s plea saying that even in prison people further their education and are even doing better hence sentenced them to 15 years imprisonment with hard labour each.

Peter Daniel, hails from Gauza village in Traditional Authority Kabudula in Lilongwe while Shadreck Charles, hails from Nankhwali village in Traditional Authority Nankumba in Mangochi.