Second Grade Magistrate Court in Mangochi Tuesday sentenced Ishmael Nazo, 23, to two years imprisonment with hard labour (IHL) for stealing a cell phone, which is contrary to Section 278 of the Penal Code.

State Prosecutor, Sergeant Ernest Mtambo told the court that, on May 4, 2023, Nazo stole iPhone 8 cell phone valued at K250, 000, belonging to Humphrey Misi, at club 01 bottles store in the district.

Appearing in court, Nazo pleaded not guilty to the offence leveled against him, but the court convicted him upon state evidence presented in the court.

In mitigation, Nazo asked for leniency on grounds that he was a bread winner with a wife and a child.

In his submission, Mtambo requested the court to give Nazo a stiffer punishment, saying the offence he committed was felony and that such cases were on the increase in Mangochi.

Passing his judgment, Second Grade Magistrate Baxton Chikalimba said Nazo deserved a custodial sentence because the court earlier on granted him bail on another case, but he failed to utilize the bail to change his bad behavior he sentenced Nazo to two years imprisonment with hard labor.