Man put on community service for stealing a bottle of whisky

A MECHANIC of Ndola has been placed on three weeks community service by the magistrate’s court for stealing a bottle of whiskey from Shoprite Checkers in Ndola.

Magistrate Emmanuel Malenga convicted Solomon Banda, 34, of no fixed abode, after he pleaded guilty to theft.
Particulars are that Banda, on June 28, this year, in Ndola, stole a bottle, Jameson Irish Whiskey valued at K109.99 from Shoprite.

In his admission of the charge, Banda told Mr Malenga that he stole the whiskey for imbibing to celebrate Heroes and Unity holidays as Ndola had a host of activities during the same period.

In mitigation, Banda begged the court for leniency, stating that he had a child to care for and was remorseful for his actions.
Brief facts read in court were that on the material day, around 15.00 hours, Banda, who works as a mechanic at Checha building around Ndola town centre, was spotted in Shoprite getting a bottle of whiskey and he hid it in the pocket of his top.

The court heard that Banda also picked a tube of toothpaste which he went and paid for at the teller’s point, and then walked towards the exit doors of the supermarket without paying for the whisky.
On the exit doors, Banda was searched by a security guard and the bottle of whiskey was recovered from him.

He was taken to Ndola Central Police Station where he admitted having stolen the whiskey.
“I have heard the facts and am satisfied that they disclose the offence charged. Based on your own admission of the facts as being correct, I find you guilty as charged and I accordingly convict you.

“I have heard your mitigation and I have taken it into consideration, hence leniency will be awarded to you. I sentence you to a period of three weeks community service within which period you will carry out cleaning works within the court premises,” Mr Malenga said.