Community service for laptop thief

A HARARE woman, who stole her boss' laptop, will perform 105 hours of community service as a punishment.

Louise Williams, 30, had initially been slapped with a six months jail term before the court suspended three months for five years on condition that she restitutes US$400 to Dr Antony Mutamba by March 11.

The remaining six months were also suspended on condition she works for no pay at Wilkins Hospital.

Despite Louise's plea of not guilty, the State led by prosecutor Gayton Vhiriri led overwhelming evidence leading to the former's conviction.

It was proved that sometime in October last year when Louise was still working for Dr Mutamba, he asked her to surrender all company goods that she had been using.

Agreed facts are that she surrendered a cellphone and some keys.

It was also proved that when Dr Mutamba went home, he then sent Louise a message that he had terminated her contract.

Evidence was led in court that after some days, when Dr Mutamba wanted to use his laptop, he realised that it was missing and one employee told him that Louise had not returned it as she used to take it home.

And Dr Mutamba was shocked with this information as Louise was not even allowed to take the gadget home and he made a report leading to her arrest.