By NORMA SIAME –
A MAN from Mpika District has been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for torching a tavern and destroying property worth K2,500.
Before Kasama High Court Judge Charles Chanda was Amos Chilufya who on September 30, 2013 set fire onto a tavern belonging to Agnes Chundu.
The prosecution had called five witnesses to testify against Chilufya who had pleaded not guilty.
Tavern owner Ms Mulenga told the court that on the material day, she was selling alcohol at her bar when she saw Chilufya fighting with his friend.
Her husband, a member of the crime prevention unit, went to separate the duo but this only infuriated Chilufya who began insulting and threatened to set the bar and his house on fire.
She decided to go home around 19:00 hours but had to turn back just after walking few metres after she was told her bar was on fire.
Another witness testified to having seen Chilufya with a box of matches which he then used to set the bar on fire.
Mr Justice Chanda said though Chilufya deserved leniency because he was first offender, his hands were tied as the minimum sentence for arson was 10 years.
