Mangochi Court Discharges Woman Accused of Biting Off Boyfriend’s Finger

Chrissy Paulo, a commercial sex worker from Mangochi district, has been discharged by the First Grade Magistrate Court sitting in Mangochi after State witnesses failed to appear in Court.

Chrissy was accused of acts intended to cause grievous harm when he bit off her boyfriend’s fingertip in a fight.

Chrissy Paulo had been cohabiting with her boyfriend, who was initially a client for eight months. He later left her abruptly. Since the boyfriend left her with no money, she decided to find a client to get money for that day.

When she brought the client home, the boyfriend, who had spent several days away, showed up at the house and sat on the veranda. This forced Chrissy to send the client away, hoping the boyfriend would give her money for food. Unfortunately, the boyfriend, who spent the night, did not provide any money.

On the 1st of January 2025, the boyfriend left again. When Chrissy asked him for money, he refused to give her any. This forced Chrissy to go to the trading center to find another client. The boyfriend left behind a hoodie, which Chrissy wore.

Whilst on her way to her house with the new client, she met the boyfriend on the way. They started fighting on the spot since the boyfriend was forcefully asking for his hoodie back. As both parties were intoxicated during the fight, the boyfriend nipped Chrissy’s ear. In trying to defend herself, she bit the boyfriend’s finger, and a tip came off. Following this incident, she was arrested and charged with the offence of acts intended to cause grievous harm.

After the story of Chrissy Paulo circulated on social media, Senior Legal Aid Advocate Upile Mapata visited her in prison. Chrissy expressed her intention to be represented by Legal Aid Bureau.

Since January 2025, Chrissy’s boyfriend has failed to show up in Court despite being summoned several times to give his testimony. This prompted the Legal Aid Bureau through Counsel Mapata to applied for a discharge of the accused person because the Complainant failed to appear in Court to give testimony.

In his ruling, First Grade Magistrate Roy Kakutu agreed with the defence that the continued incarceration of the accused person was tantamount to her being punished without being found guilty, even though she has a right to be presumed innocent.

He further stated that it was clear the Complainant was not interested in continuing with the matter, and for that reason, Chrissy was discharged. The State has been informed that they do not intend to recommence the matter, it will operate as an acquittal.