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Elizabeth Tsuro, Midlands Reporter
AN illegal gold panner from Gweru has been sentenced to 12 months in prison for robbing a 15-year-old boy of $12.
Maxwell Nyoni, 23, of Mkoba Village 14, pleaded guilty to robbery before Gweru Magistrate Tayengwa Chibanda.
In passing sentence, Magistrate Chibanda said robbery offences were on the rise hence the need for a custodial sentence.
“The fact that you stole $12 isn’t mitigatory because if the defenceless young boy had more money you could have taken it from him.
“Robbery crimes are on the rise hence the court will impose a custodial sentence to send a message to the public,” he said.
Magistrate Chibanda sentenced Nyoni to 12 months in jail but suspended one month on condition that he restitutes the complainant $12 through the clerk of court before May 31.
Prosecuting, Lloyd Mavhisa told the court that last Sunday at around 7PM, the boy, who on his way to Mabutho Farm to visit his mother, was near Sponono Bar at Mkoba Village 14 Business Centre.
The court heard Nyoni approached the teen and grabbed him by the collar.
Nyoni, the prosecutor said, ordered the boy to surrender all the money he had.
“He told Nyoni that he didn’t have money. Nyoni inserted his hand into the complainant’s trouser pockets and took away $12,” said Mavhisa.
The prosecutor told the court that the complainant had no visible injuries and was not medically examined.
Police arrested Nyoni after the boy made a report.
derick.khumalo