Man stones neighbour's child

A Harare man was last Wednesday given 145 hours of community service after he was found guilty of negligent behaviour after seriously injuring his neighbour's five-year-old son on the forehead with a stone.

Farai Nyemwa (25) pleaded guilty to the charge of negligently causing harm to a person when he appeared before Mbare magistrate Ms Shelly Zvenyika last week.

Nyemwa told the court that it was not his intention to hit the boy but it had been a mistake.

"I did not intend to hit the boy with the stone. I wanted to hit my brother whom I was having an altercation with. I understand that I failed to show concern to what had happened to the boy I had hit, but I hope that the court will be lenient with me when passing sentence," he said.

Ms Zvenyika considered that Nyemwa was a first offender who had pleaded guilty to the charge.

"First offenders should by all means be given a non-custodial sentence, but this does not mean you have to go and commit other offenses," she said.

Facts are that on April 1, Nyemwa was arguing with his brother outside their house.

The argument heated up and Nyemwa picked a stone and threw it towards his brother.

However, the stone hit the boy leaving a deep gash on his forehead.

Mr Stanley Musekiwa prosecuted.