8 years IHL for burglary, attempted rape

The Ntchisi First Grade Magistrate’s Court has sentenced George Sandramu, 32, of Ndenje Village, Traditional Authority (T/A) Malenga in the district to eight years imprisonment with hard labour for burglary and rape.

State prosecutor Austin Daudi told the court on Wednesday this week that the convict, on the night of June 11 this year at Chiwembe Village, entered into the house of a woman [name withheld] with intent to steal.

He said the convict on the same night attempted to rape the single woman.

“The convict gained entry through the window and went straight to the complainant’s bedroom where he started touching her breasts and private parts.

“This prompted the complainant to wake up and see who was touching her and the convict started running away, but he was caught by the complainant herself who later alerted other people in the village,” said Daudi.

In court, the convict pleaded guilty to the charges of burglary and attempted rape.

Passing judgement, first grade magistrate Dorothy Kalua said the offences are serious and the offender deserves a stiff punishment to deter would-be offenders.

She, therefore, sentenced Sandramu to eight years IHL for burglary while the attempted rape charge has earned him six years IHL.

The sentences will run concurrently.