DRUNKEN PUPIL LOCKED UP 1 MONTH FOR ASSAULT

RABECCA BANDA writes

@SunZambian

A LUSAKA pupil has been sentenced to one month imprisonment with hard labour in the Lusaka Magistrates Court for assault.

Elliot Mwanza,19 of Mtendere admitted before Magistrate Nsunge Chanda that while acting with others he assaulted Bupe Mulenga on July 24.

Mwanza admitted the charge of assault occasionally actual bodily harm contrary to the laws of Zambia.

Mwanza explained said that he was in a group of others and an argument arose over alcohol.

He said Mulenga was drunk and started the fight by hitting Mwanza’s friend with a bottle.

He said Mulenga was with a friend while Mwanza was with four of friends who reacted to the provocation and started beating Mulenga.

Mwanza said when people came to stop the fight, his friends run away but he was caught and arrested.

In mitigation, Mwanza pleaded to the court for mercy and said he will not do it again.

He said he was an orphan and the person keeping him will not allow him to go back home because of the offence he committed.

Magistrate Chanda said looking at the medical report, the complainant sustained serious injuries.

She said assault was a very serious offence which was punishable by law.

“Because of your age, I will sentence you to one month imprisonment with hard labour so that you can learn that assault is an offence,” she said.