A 25-year old man, Victor Maxwell, was sentenced to six months imprisonment by First Grade Magistrate, Kondani Chinangwa, for escaping lawful custody.
The incident took place when Maxwell had told police officers that he needed to relieve himself in a toilet, but instead, he fled the scene.
The police officers had to fire in the air to scare Maxwell, who was eventually apprehended.
In addition to the six-month sentence for escaping lawful custody, Maxwell will also spend the next 36 months in prison for burglary and theft, as ordered by Magistrate Chinangwa in his court appearance today.
The convict, who hails from Motheriwa village, Traditional Authority Changata in the district, expressed fear of the judgment as the reason for his decision to flee.
Thyolo Police deputy publicist, Rabecca Kasoti, confirmed the incident and stated that the police officers acted quickly to apprehend Maxwell.
State prosecutor, Watson Sikwenga, submitted in court that Maxwell’s actions reflected a lack of respect for the law and the court’s proceedings.