Mangochi Senior Resident Magistrate’s court on Wednesday April 20, 2022 convicted and sentenced Monica Mhone, 28, to 18 months imprisonment with hard labour but suspended to 6 months community service for deserting her 1 year and 11 months old daughter contrary to section 164 of the Penal Code.
During court proceedings, Prosecutor Sub Inspector Maggie Chibulire told the court that, the convict who is a sex worker at Maldeco area on the night of March 10, 2022 locked up her little child alone and went away for business.
The abandoned child was crying uncontrollably which prompted neighbours to force open the door after several attempts of knocking.
Prosecutor Chibulire added that, one of the neighbours took the child and reported the incident to Koche Police Unit after 3 days of taking care of the little one.
The convict then handed herself to the police after she heard that she was being hunted.
Appearing in court, the accused person pleaded not guilty to the charge prompting the state to parade two witnesses who testified against her.
In mitigation Monica asked the court for leniency saying that she looks after other children who will suffer if sent to prison.
In her submission, prosecutor Chibulire asked for a custodial sentence while justifying that the convict did not think of the well being of her child who stayed for days without being breast-fed.
Furthermore, Chibulire indicated that the child’s life was at risk to be locked up alone in the house.
Passing judgement, Senior Resident Magistrate Rodrick Michongwe concurred with the state.
He therefore sentenced her to 18 months imprisonment with hard labour but suspended the sentence to 6 months community service to be served at Koche Health Centre in the district.
Meanwhile the convict has started serving her punishment which is being supervised by the hospital officials.
She hails from Kapoto Village, Traditional Authority Fuka in Nkhata-Bay.
Sub Inspector Amina Tepani Daudi
PRO-Mangochi Police Station
Cell:0999-706-525
E-mail:mamateps1152@gmail.com
Website: www.police.gov.mw