The Choma Magistrates’ Court has sentenced a 26-year-old man to 6 months imprisonment with hard labor for stealing one tablet of Lifebouy bathing soap valued at K15.20 from Spar Supermarket.

Facts of the matter are that Spencer Mwambula, on November 17, 2017, was seen getting the said item from a shelf walking through the counter without paying by a security officer.

He was apprehended after leaving the store at the taxi rank when he was asked to show proof of purchase which he failed to produce.

He was later taken to Choma Police Station where he was interviewed by officer Bwalya who later charged him with the offence of theft.

In mitigation, the accused begged the court to exercise leniency as he did not know what he was doing.

He also told the court that he was taking care of his ailing grandmother who suffers from blood pressure and if he was sent to jail, no one would look after her.

Mwambula also said he was suffering from Tuberculosis and if sent to jail that would be the end of his life.

But in passing judgment, a magistrate Zulu stated that the court had proved the case beyond any reasonable doubt and found the accused guilty by his own admission.

Magistrate Zulu said the court had considered the fact that he was the first offender and he showed remorse for his actions, but it was so shameful that a man of his age could indulge in such vices.

He therefore sentenced the accused to six months imprisonment with hard labor but suspended the sentence to two years in which if he committed any crime within that stipulate period, he would have to serve the six months slapped on him.