By MILDRED KATONGO –
A THIRTY-YEAR-OLD man has been sentenced to three years imprisonment with hard labour for stealing 50 chickens worth K1,500.
Kitwe Magistrate Prosper Mwila sent to jail Felix Mwape, a trader of Mulenga Township, for breaking into a building and stealing chickens.
On October 21 last year, Mwape broke into a chicken-run in Mulenga Township and stole chickens belonging to Steven Kangwa.
Mr Kangwa reported the incident to the police station where investigations were instituted.
Mwape was apprehended the following day after he was found selling chickens in the same area at K5 each.
He readily admitted the charge.
When the matter came up for written facts, Mr Mwila found Mwape guilty of the charge and convicted him accordingly.
He said it was not in dispute that Mwape stole the chickens as evidenced from the witnesses that testified against him and upon his own admission.
In mitigation Mwape asked the court to be lenient because he was a family man.
“Your honour, I know I committed a crime but am asking for forgiveness. I have four children and a wife that I take care of, when am sent to jail for many years no one will take care of my family, please have mercy,” he said.
