4 people get 10 years each for robbery
Lilongwe Magistrate’s Court has sentenced Brian Chisomo Banda and three others to 10 years imprisonment each for robbery.
State prosecutor Christopher Nyirongo told the court that Banda broke into a house in area 43 in Lilongwe on May 12 this year where he tied the victim before stealing assorted items.
He said the four, who were equipped with pangas, stole four laptop computers, five phones, speakers, plasma television set, home theatre and assorted clothes all valued at K6 million.
In court, the four pleaded guilty, but prayed for leniency because some of the properties were recovered.
However, in his submission, the State asked for maximum sentence, saying the offence was serious and attracts life imprisonment.
The State also said the robbers were many and posed a threat to family members.
“The convicts planned the offence as they even poisoned the dog,” said Nyirongo.
In his ruling, senior resident magistrate Wanangwa Nyirenda agreed with the State that the act was murderous; hence, handing them custodial sentences.
Banda,53, comes from Khave Village, Traditional Authority (T/A) Kapichi in Thyolo.
His accomplices are Andrew Tembo, 43, from Fwilamthondo Village, T/A Mtwalo in Mzimba , Maxwell John, 38, from Kuweluza Village, T/A Changata in Thyolo and Patrick Inosi, 38, from Kalilombe Village, T/A Kamenyagwaza in Dedza.
