The Kitwe High Court has placed three Juveniles on a 12-month probation for robbery.

And  a 20-year-old-man has been sentenced to 18 months imprisonment with hard labour for the same offence.

This is a case in which Lazarus Kapinga (A1) and three Juveniles were charged with robbery contrary to the laws of Zambia.

Particulars of the offence are that on October 5, 2018 Lazarous Kapinga and the three juvenile stole a phone and K200 the property of Kennedy Chewe.

Allegations were that on October 5, 2018 in Kitwe, Kampinga and the three juveniles stole a mobile cell phone and a K200 cash, the property of Kennedy Chewe.

Appearing before Judge in charge Timothy Katanekwa for judgment, Wednesday, the four accused persons were found guilty of the offence and were convicted and placed on mitigation.

In mitigation, the three juveniles, through probation officer Betty Siachi, said they had committed the offence as a result of peer pressure which they could not withstand and placing them on probation would give officers from the social welfare to train and supervise them in a way they are supposed to live in society.

She said the juveniles deserved the court’s leniency as they were remorseful for the offence they committed.

And Kampinga, in mitigation through his lawyer from Legal Aid, begged  the court to exercise maximum leniency saying he had learnt a lesson.

Judge Katanekwa said he had heard what had been said in mitigation and that they were first offenders who deserved the court’s leniency. 

Judge Katanekwa, however, said he had noted with concern that there had been an increase in teenage gangs or teenagers engaging in activities that terrorised the public there by prompting judiciary to be vigilant of such vices. 

Judge Katanekwa said the crime committed had a possible sentence of 13 years but he was going be lenient with the juveniles by placing them on a 12-month long probation whilst he would sentence A1 to 18 months imprisonment with hard labour.