Mangochi First Grade Magistrate Court on Tuesday convicted and sentenced 18-year-old Idrissah Julius to 55 months’ Imprisonment with Hard Labor (IHL) for breaking into a building and committing a felony, contrary to section 311 of Penal Code.

State Prosecutor, Sub Inspector Ted Namaona told the court that around 10:00 pm of 24 January this year, Julius broke into the shop of Sharifu Douglas and stole a LED Plasma, two laptops, a Zuku Decoder, a Bluetooth speaker and other assorted items, all valued at K595 000.

“LED Plasma, a Zuku decoder, two laptops and a quarter bag of rice were recovered whilst other items are yet to be recovered,” Namaona said.

Appearing before First Grade Magistrate Roy Kakutu, the suspect pleaded not guilty prompting the state to parade three witnesses who proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.

In order to lessen the gravity of sentence, the accused prayed for the court’s leniency, saying he was given the items by his fellow callboy to keep them safe, has a wife and a 9-months-old child.

But inn its submission the state through the police prosecutor argued that although Julius is a first offender, the offense is rampart in the district hence prayed for meaningful sentence to deter other would be offenders and ensure that public property is safeguarded.

Passing sentence, First Grade Magistrate Roy Kakutu said the sentence will not be affected by factors such as being young or a first offender but will only consider that he had been in cooler from February.

He, therefore, sentenced him to 55 months’ IHL.

Julius hails from Mchomba village, Traditional Authority Mponda in Mangochi district.