The Kitwe Magistrates’ Court has sentenced a 37-year-old man to five years imprisonment with hard labour for stealing building blocks.

Joe Mwepu broke into Mama Monty Secondary School in Chimwemwe Township in Kitwe and stole K105 worth of blocks.

Mwepu was charged with theft contrary to the laws of Zambia.

Allegations were that on March 9, 2019, the accused person stole K105 worth of building blocks.

Appearing before senior resident magistrate Owen Chibalo for plea, the accused person pleaded guilty to the offence.

And magistrate Chibalo said upon the accused person’s own admission, he had found him guilty as charged and convicted him accordingly.

And in mitigation, Mwepu begged for the court’s leniency saying he regretted committing the offence and that he was a father to four children.

But Magistrate Chibalo said it was unfortunate that residents had continued to bring down the government’s efforts in providing quality education in the country.

Magistrate Chibalo said he was sentencing him so as to deter would be offenders.

Magistrate Chibalo he was sentecing him to five years imprisonment with hardlabour and that he had a right to appeal to a higher court within 14 days.