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25-year-old man gets two years for stealing two maize cobs
The accused had been released two weeks ago from Iganga Central Prison after spending eight months on charges of theft of a hen from a neighbour.
25-year-old man gets two years for stealing two maize cobs
By: Moses Bikala, Journalist @New Vision
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Court in Iganga district has today (October 29) sentenced a 25-year-old man to two years' imprisonment after pleading guilty to stealing two cobs of maize.
Prosecution had earlier alleged that the accused, Shamiru Kayima, a resident of Kasolo village in Bulamagi sub-county on October 19 this year while at Walugogo village sneaked into a maize garden belonging to a one Betty Oboth and stole two cobs of maize.
Prosecution further alleged that the accused was arrested as he attempted to flee after a local resident tried to raise an alarm.
The accused had been released two weeks ago from Iganga Central Prison after spending eight months on charges of theft of a hen from a neighbour.
Prosecution further alleged that the accused had earlier in the previous case pleaded guilty to the offence of theft of a hen.
When Iganga grade one magistrate Ali Tibekana asked Kayima whether he was guilty of the offense of theft of the maize cobs, the accused answered in the affirmative before asking for leniency.
The accused had been released two weeks ago from Iganga Central Prison after spending eight months on charges of theft of a hen from a neighbour.
Prosecution further alleged that the accused had earlier in the previous case pleaded guilty to the offence of theft of a hen.
When Iganga grade one magistrate Ali Tibekana asked Kayima whether he was guilty of the offense of theft of the maize cobs, the accused answered in the affirmative before asking for leniency.
"Your Worship, I was forced to steal just because of hunger, but it was not intentional," he said, throwing the fully packed court into a bout of laughter.
The accused caused more laughter when he asked the magistrate for a lenient sentence of at least six months in jail so that when he comes out of prison, he can start a church because he was now born again.
"It's true I committed the offence, but I ask for a light sentence because many people will be missing my services when I am away," he said.
Magistrate Tibekana noted that though the accused had not wasted the court's time by pleading guilty to the offence, he deserved to spend more time in jail so that he reforms and becomes a responsible citizen.
The accused caused more laughter when he asked the magistrate for a lenient sentence of at least six months in jail so that when he comes out of prison, he can start a church because he was now born again.
"It's true I committed the offence, but I ask for a light sentence because many people will be missing my services when I am away," he said.
Magistrate Tibekana noted that though the accused had not wasted the court's time by pleading guilty to the offence, he deserved to spend more time in jail so that he reforms and becomes a responsible citizen.