adminNoleen Makhurane Court reporter
A DARING Bulawayo man broke into Queenspark police camp and stole phones worth $749. Brian Ngwenya, 35, was arraigned before magistrate Batanai Tuwe charged with unlawful entry and theft. Ngwenya pleaded guilty to the charge. Tuwe sentenced him to six years imprisonment and suspended two for five years on condition that Ngwenya does not within that period commit a similar crime.
Prosecuting Tinovimba Chimvinga said on August 20, at around 4AM at Queenspark police camp Ngwenya unlawfully gained entry and stole goods worth $749.
The court heard Ngwenya stole two G-Tel vivo cellphones, a Samsung galaxy S4 mini and a Nokia phone before fleeing.
He allegedly forced open a door to gain entry.
Chimvinga said that the phones recovered were worth $719 except for a Nokia phone worth $30.
Ngwenya presented a strange defence.
He told the court that he was at the police station at 4AM looking for his girlfriend and did not steal but took the phones knowing the police would follow him.
But Tuwe said that Ngwenya had no respect for police officers.
“To go to a police camp and perpetrate the art of unlawful entry and theft shows you have very low regard for police authority.
“The offence of unlawful entry can be traumatising to victims who may never again feel secure in their own homes,” he said.
Online Reporter