By Adrian Mwanza –
A Man of Kawama Township in Kabwe has been sentenced to six months in prison for stealing a mountain bicycle which was parked at the market on 14, December 2015.
Jackson Banda of Kawama Extension was sentenced after he was found with the mountain bicycle which belonged to Felix Mwenda of the same area.
Mr Mwenda said on the fateful day, he sent his nine-year-old daughter to buy relish at the market but that she lost the bicycle after she parked it outside the shops.
He said the bike was later found with the accused who admitted taking it without getting permission from the owner.
“I sent my daughter to go and buy relish at the market but when she returned, the she found the bike missing,” he said.
But Banda in mitigation Banda told Magistrate Kaizer Tembo that he was a first offender who was looking after his two children.
He said he regretted his actions and hoped the court would exercise some leniency on him since he did not waste its time.
“I am hoping the court will exercise maximum leniency because Iam a first offender who has not wasted the court’s time,” he said.
But Magistrate Tembo said theft cases were rife in Kabwe and that criminals needed to be taught a lesson in order to bring sanity in the town.
“Theft cases are on the rise in Kabwe and if people are not punished the trend will continue therefore it is my duty to enforce a custodial sentence on you,” he said.
