Thieving teenager amputates victim's finger

A THIEVING teenager from Chitungwiza, who broke into another man's house and later amputated the victims finger after being apprehended, was yesterday sentenced to one-and-a-half years in prison.

Takudzwa White (19) of Unit F, Seke, in Chitungwiza denied unlawful entry into premises in aggravating circumstances. White appeared before Chitungwiza magistrate Ms Blessing Murwisi and was, however, convicted after a full trial.

Ms Murwisi slapped him with a three-year prison term, but conditionally suspended one-and-a-half years for five years on condition that he does not commit the same offence within that time. The remaining one-and-a-half years shall be effective. Proved facts are that on September 15, at around 10pm, the complainant Paradzai Mwanjira (38) of Unit M, Chitungwiza heard some noise in one of his rooms after he had retired to bed.

Mwanjira woke up to investigate and saw White inside his room, holding a steel bar he had used to gain entry. The court heard that upon realising that he had been identified, White took to his heels with Mwanjira in tow. Mwanjira managed to catch up with the victim after a determined foot race and apprehended him. The two started to wrestle as White tried to free himself, but to no avail. Upon realising that he had been overpowered, White resorted to biting Mwanjira's middle finger.

Mwanjira screamed in pain and subsequently let White loose, giving him room to escape. White was, however, arrested the following day after Mwanjira positively identified him still wearing the same clothes he had the previous night. Mr Tendai Katonha prosecuted.