The Midima Magistrate’s Court on Thursday sentenced three men to 10 years imprisonment with hard labour each for robbing a restaurant in Limbe of K1.5 million (about $6 000).
The court learnt that the three, wearing police uniforms and in company of four others who are still at large, stormed into Sunrise Restaurant in Limbe opposite UDF offices and handcuffed all members of staff.
The court, presided by magistrate Kitty Nkhono, heard that the robbery happened around 7 pm on August 2 this year when the restaurant was about to close.
The three, Steven James, 23, from Luwungu Village, T/A Sitola in Machinga, Grivin Mlombwa, 32, from Namalo Village, T/A Machinjiri in Blantyre and Kingsley Lobeni, 28, from Lulo Village, T/A Chimaliro in Thyolo, pleaded guilty to the robbery charge.
The State told the court that after handcuffing employees at the restaurant, including the owner George Lee, a Chinese national, they searched for money and found K1.5 million which they took.
The convicts in mitigation said they have family obligations.
But magistrate Nkhono said the offence committed was serious; hence, the need for a stiff sentence.
