MUBANGA NONDO, Ndola
THE Ndola Magistrate’s Court has imposed a six-month jail sentence with hard labour on a carpenter of Lubuto township in Ndola for stealing a bottle of deodorant worth K19 from Pick n Pay.
Resident magistrate Misozi Banda, however, suspended the sentence slapped on Moses Siwale, 19, of house number 6602, provided he does not commit a similar offence within one year.
Ms Banda last Thursday convicted Siwale on his own unequivocal plea of guilty.
“I find you guilty as charged and I accordingly convict you. I have also taken into consideration what you have said in mitigation. However, thefts have become the order of the day here in Ndola.
“I sentence you to six months imprisonment with hard labour with effect from the date you were arrested. I however, suspend the sentence for one year within which period you are not to commit any offence,” Ms Banda said.
Siwale on February 14 this year in Ndola, stole a bottle of deodorant from Pick n Pay worth K19.45.
In mitigation, Siwale asked the court to exercise leniency on him because he is married and his wife is expecting.
Facts before the court read by  public prosecutor Sandi Munyeme were that on the fateful morning around 07:00 hours, James Simwanza, a security officer at Pick n Pay stores noticed the presence of Siwale who looked suspicious.
Mr Simwanza later saw Siwale picking up a bottle of deodorant from the shelf and hid it in his underwear
The court heard that security guards apprehended Siwale as he attempted to leave the supermarket without paying for the deodorant.