Mulenga Musonda writes
The Choma Subordinates Court has convicted a 19 years old gardener who left his bicycle in the field that led to his apprehension after stealing cobs of maize.
According to facts on record Armson Maambo left his bicycle in the wee hours of 1st May 2020 after the owner gave a chase when he discovered that someone was in the Field harvesting his maize.
In this matter Maambo stood charged with theft contrary to Section 272 of Chapter 87 of the Penal Code of the Laws of Zambia.
Particulars of the offence are that Maambo on the mentioned date stole 150 cobs of Maize valued at K300 the property of Paul Mukayi.
When he appeared for plea before Senior Resident Magistrate Idah Mupemo, the accused person did not waste the Courts time as he willingly admitted the charge.
Court: Have you understood the charge against you?
Maambo: Yes I have
Court: How do you plead?
Maambo: I admit, but the Cobs were just 50
Court: Did you have any justification or claim of right?
Maambo: I was just hungry
Court: I record a plea of guilty.
According to the Facts , the suspect was apprehended after the owner identified the bicycle that he left behind when stealing the Maize.
The accused was later apprehended and seven cobs of maize were recovered.
Despite asking for lenience in his mitigation , Magistrate Mupemo sentenced him to three months imprisonment with hard labour with effect from May12, 2020.
