The Chisamba Magistrate Court has discontinued a case in which an 18 – year -old juvenile was charged with criminal trespass.
Appearing for facts before Magistrate, Austine Mubita, was a male juvenile of Chawama Compound in Chisamba District who pleaded guilty to one count of criminal trespass contrary to Section 306 of the Penal Code Chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia.
ZANIS reports that particulars of the offence were that between 20th February 2024 and 25th April 2024, the accused unlawfully entered the premises of Emmanuel Banda an accountant at Chisamba Town Council with intent to commit a crime.
Facts are that on the material day Mr Banda left for work and realised he had forgotten certain documents and decided to return home in Location Compound where he saw the accused coming out of the bedroom window and later jumped over the wall fence upon hearing the noise of the gate, but was apprehended by passersby after the owner of the house shouted for help.
Upon his plea of guilty, Magistrate Mubita found the accused guilty as charged.
However, Social Welfare Probation Officer, Prisca Mulenga, in mitigation on behalf of the juvenile, said the accused has another case pending which was committed whilst he was on bail.
Mrs Mulenga told the court that the accused was in the past sent to Katombola Reformatory School following a record of crimes he had committed countless times previously such as breaking into a building with intent to commit a felony, house breaking and theft.
The court further heard that the accused has become a perpetual offender and a misfit in society as his behaviour has gotten out of hand despite efforts made by the Department of Social Welfare.
Meanwhile, Mrs Mulenga told the court that her department has recommended that the juvenile, who is currently 18 years old, be sent to Katombola reformatory school until he reaches the age of 19 years.
Magistrate Mubita, having heard the mitigation and recommendation, discharged the accused with immediate effect considering that he has another case to answer.
The juvenile offender is scheduled to appear in another court in Chisamba for burglary and theft on 25th February, 2025.
