The Lilongwe Principal Resident Magistrate’s Court has sentenced 22-year-old Assan George to 16 years in prison for robbing a man of a Redmi Note 10 smartphone worth K300,000.

Lilongwe Police Deputy Spokesperson Constable Khumbo Sanyiwa confirmed the development, stating that the court heard evidence from Inspector Bauleni Namasani, who detailed how the robbery occurred on the night of November 30, 2024.

According to the prosecution, the victim was walking home from Chinsapo 2 when he was ambushed by Assan and his accomplices, who remain at large. The attackers stole various belongings, including the expensive smartphone.

Although Assan denied the charges, the state presented witnesses whose testimony led to his conviction. He pleaded for leniency, citing that it was his first offense, but the prosecution opposed his request.

Delivering the ruling, Magistrate Roderick Michongwe sentenced Assan who hails from Jalasi Village in Mangochi to 16 years in prison, emphasizing that the punishment should serve as a lesson to others.