THE Chipata Magistrates’ Court on Thursday sentenced a 27-year-old man of Old Jim Compound to nine months imprisonment with hard labour for stealing four garden chairs at a Jehovah’s Witness Convention centre.

Before senior resident magistrate Boniface Mwala was Daniel Jonathan Nundwe, who stood charged with one count of theft.

The prosecution called three witnesses to prove its case while Nundwe did not call any witness when put on his defence.

Facts of the matter were that between August 17 and 18, 2018, Nundwe stole four garden chairs valued at K780, property of Daniel Banda.

Banda, who was the first prosecution witness, told the court that his chairs were stolen at a Jehovah’s Witness Convention Centre where he had left them.

He said his chairs were special because he bought them from Malawi.

Banda said later he found the chairs at a bar at Devil Street and when he asked, the owners of the bar said they bought from a passerby.

It was then that Nundwe was apprehended in relation to the matter.

When put on his defence, Nundwe confirmed that he stole the chairs at the convention centre.

In mitigation, Nundwe said his father passed on in 2009 when he wrote his grade twelve examination.

He asked the court to exercise leniency on him.

Magistrate Mwala said he heard what Nundwe said in mitigation that he was a first offender.

He said Nundwe was still a youth and could reform if given a second chance.

“The offence you committed is a serious one and it is a felony. The bad thing is that you have extended your criminality to the church. I also go to the same church (Jehovah’s Witness). I sentence you to nine

months imprisonment with hard labour with effect from 10 October 2018 when you are arrested. You are informed about your right to appeal,” ruled Magistrate Mwala.