Mum, dad help son (25) assault boy (15)

A couple and their son, who waylaid a 15-year-old boy on his way from school and beat him up over an altercation with their son, were on Thursday fined US$50 each.

If they fail to pay the fine, they will be jailed four months each.

Mark (50) Doreen (43) and their son Ophard (25) Garan'anga of Garan'anga Village in Seke, pleaded not guilty to assault charges when they appeared before Chitungwiza magistrate Mr Silus Chitongo.

However, they were convicted after a full trial due to overwhelming evidence against them.
Mr Chitongo sentenced the trio to 10 months in prison but set aside six months on condition that they will not commit a similar offence.

Four months were suspended on condition they pay US$50 fine each.
Prosecutor Mr Tendai Mukaviri told the court that on March 13 this year, at around 5pm, the boy was playing soccer at the village grounds together with their 11-year-old son.

During the game, the two boys had a quarrel, forcing the boy to take their son's slippers. He threw them into a nearby garden.
The next day they teamed up and went to intercept the boy on his way home. They waylaid him at a secluded area.

Ophard first got hold of the boy and floored him with punches and kicks.
While still on the ground, Mark stamped on the boy's head while his wife Doreen hit him with a shoe