Two years for stealing phone
The Lira Grade One Magistrate’s Court has sentenced a teenager to a two-year jail term for stealing a mobile phone.
Daniel Awal, 18, pleaded guilty to the charge of theft and assault before his sentence was handed down. On Wednesday, he appeared before the Lira Grade One Magistrate, Jonathan Mamimbi.
The prosecution told the court that on July 13, 2022, police arrested Awal together with his friend, Edmond Aryono, both residents of Kirombe Cell, Lira City West Division for assaulting Innocent Etuk and stealing his mobile phone valued at shillings 300,000.
Police recovered the mobile phone from Awal’s pockets whereas Aryono was found in possession of a sharp knife and master keys.
While appearing in court, Awal pleaded guilty to the crimes whereas Aryono pleaded not guilty, prompting the magistrate to remand him further.
Awal asked the court for a pardon with promises of not repeating the mistake.
“I am requesting this honourable court to give me a lenient sentence so that I can return to being a reformed person because I am an orphan,” he said.
Two years for stealing phone
Julius Peter Ogwang, the State Attorney, asked the court to give the convict a minimal sentence, saying he could help as a state witness in the prosecution process of his colleague.
“My Lord, the convict here has no criminal record and pleaded guilty without wasting court’s time and above all he is remorseful. I pray that you give him a minimal sentence so that we treat him as a state witness against A1 who knows he committed an offense but still denies it,” he submitted.
In his ruling, the Lira Grade One Magistrate, Jonathan Mamimbi sentenced Awal to 24 months in prison, arguing that he committed a serious offense.
“The offense committed is not an ordinary but a serious offense, which attracts a maximum sentence of 10 years but considering that the convict has not wasted court’s time, he is therefore sentenced to 24 months,” he ruled.
