Serial thief jailed for 14 months

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In passing sentence, Taruvinga said Chinamasa projected characteristics of a serial thief, highlighting that the other complainants withdrew the charges because they were related to the accused.

A 21-YEAR-OLD Masvori villager under Chief Chiundura was slapped with an effective 14-month prison sentence for unlawful entry and theft charges when he appeared before the Gweru Magistrates’ Court.

BY IVAN NDLOVU

Learnmore Chinamasa (21) was initially charged with eight counts of unlawful entry and theft, but these were reduced to four after two of the complainants withdrew their charges.

Chinamasa pleaded guilty to the four charges when he appeared before magistrate Judith Taruvinga.

In passing sentence, Taruvinga said Chinamasa projected characteristics of a serial thief, highlighting that the other complainants withdrew the charges because they were related to the accused.

Prosecutor Daniel Tafuma told the court that on June 7, Chinamasa went to Tauzeni Blessed’s residence and opened the window to gain entry into the house before stealing a car battery.

On June 11, Chinamasa went to Maxwell Mhlanga’s residence and stole 160 kg of maize.

Mhlanga woke up the next morning to discover the theft and tracked the footprints to Chinamasa’s place, where he positively identified his maize through the bags.

Upon hearing about Mhlanga’s discovery, Blessed also found his missing car battery at Chinamasa’s homestead and a police report was made. All the stolen items were recovered.