Felonious Chinsali juvenile probated, fined

—–The Chinsali Magistrates’ Court has ordered six months probation and a fine of KR300 to be paid by a Chinsali juvenile offender charged with one count of breaking into a building contrary to the Laws of Zambia. 

Before Magistrate Shaderick Chanda was a 17-year-old juvenile of Kabangama village in chief Chibesa`s area in Chinsali District of Muchinga Province charged with one count of breaking into a building and committing a felony therein  contrary to Section 303 (a) and (b) Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.

Particulars of the offence were that on February 22, 2013, the minor did break into a building and stole goods worth KR159.50, property of Daniel Mwalala.

Items stolen included four neck ties, one boom laundry soap and two boxes boom detergent paste, four bottles of apple max drinks and two bottles of glycerin.

Other items stolen were two Romeo bathing soap, a bottle of lotion and two boxes of matches all valued at KR 159.50.

The juvenile offender pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Social Welfare report stated that Muyunda Mundiya, the father of the juvenile, abandoned his family after he was transferred, adding that the juvenile offender lacked parental care from his father and this lead to him  committing the said offence.

 The report further stated that the juvenile regretted his actions while in police custody and pleaded with the court to consider exercising maximum leniency on him.

In mitigation the juvenile offender said he was remorseful for what he did adding that he stole those items because he wanted to go back to school after selling them and that he is in an examination class.

In passing judgment, magistrate Chanda said he had heard what the minor had said in his mitigation and that the court considered the Social Welfare Report but that the offence committed was serious and ordered six months probation, a fine of KR300.00 and to compensate the complainant a total sum of KR1.500.00

Magistrate Chanda said parental care is cardinal in the life for any growing child, adding that when children lack such care they tend to do things their own way without considering the consequences of their actions.

He further ordered that the fine of KR300 and compensation to the complainant worth KR1.500.00 will be borne by the convict`s father.