By Mwai Kumanda

Lilongwe, April 14, Mana: Lilongwe Senior Resident Magistrate court has convicted and sentenced an 18-year-old man to 14 years’ imprisonment for robbing a man of various items valued at K1 million.

Lilongwe Police Deputy Public Relations Officer, Constable Khumbo Sanyiwa, confirmed the development and identified the man as James Gerald.

He said the court heard through prosecutor Sub Inspector, Damiano Nyasulu, that Gerald committed the offence near Gateway Mall minibus stage on February 1, 2025.

“On the said date the victim and his friend, were walking along a shortcut path road between Agricultural Research and Extension Trust (ARET), and Central Poultry houses, to board a taxi at the said minibus stage going to Area 49, suddenly they met the convict who was with two other colleagues who were all armed with knives.

“Then the convict and his accomplices, who are still at large, attacked the victim and robbed him of the items, including K40,000, a cell phone and a PlayStation game,” he said.

Appearing in court, the victim pleaded guilty to the charges of robbery but during mitigation asked for leniency, arguing he was a first-time offender.

The state, however, asked for a stiffer custodial sentence, saying the convict planned to commit the offence.

Passing his sentence, Magistrate Bracious Kondowe concurred with the state and sentenced Gerald to 14 years’ imprisonment with hard labour.

James Gerald hails from Tsikulamowa Village, Traditional Authority Tsikulamowa in Ntcheu district.