The Senior Resident Magistrate’s court in Nkhata Bay District, has convicted and sentenced two people to 2 years and 6 years imprisonment with hard labour respectively for assaulting Vasco Mbewe at N21 Bar, Chintheche Trading Centre in the district.
The duo, 21-year-old Thomas Nkhata and Yonamu Mwenda age 29 both from Nsundu Village, T/A Malanda in Nkhata Bay District jointly committed the offence on February 2, 2024 at night.
According to state prosecutor Sergeant Martha Chingwalungwalu, the duo picked a quarrel with Mbewe while at the drinking joint.
The quarrel ended into exchanging brows untill Mbewe was overpowered and decided to free himself.
It was immaterial as the two suspects chased him until they hooked him and assaulted him seriously until certain man populary known as Khwima intervened and rescued him from the angry lions.
The matter was reported to Chintheche Police Post where investigations were instituted leading the arrest of the culprits who were charged with acts intended to cause grievous harm.
During their first appearance in court on February 5, 2024 they both pleaded guilty to the charge levelled against them prompting the court to convict them.
In submission during subsequent court proceedings on February 15, 2024, state prosecutor Chingwalungwalu prayed for deterrent punishment basing on the factors that such cases are rampant in the district and that they caused a prolonged trauma on the victim since he is losing memory and walking with difficulties.
In mitigation, the first convict said he is young and that his parents depend on him while the second convict said he is a breadwinner, hence both pleaded for leniency.
Passing sentences, Senior Resident Magistrate Mateo Chitha after weighing the mitigating factors, despite the factor that the convicts are first offenders, he considered the factor that such cases occur frequently in the area.
