The man identified as Gift Joseph who resides in Bangwe, Blantyre. According to Deputy Police Public Relations at Limbe Police Pedzesayi Zembeneko, Gift Joseph on 20 June 2016 broke into three houses at Laiti village around 11:00 PM.

He successfully stole one cell phone and undisclosed amount of money from the first two houses. He was caught in the third house.

In mitigation he asked for leniency citing that he is a sole bread winner of the family.

However, His Worship Benedictus Chitsakamile said cases of burglary and theft are rampant, therefore perpetrators of law need to be isolated from the society.

The court slapped Joseph with a stiff punishment to deter would be other offenders.

The convict comes from Traditional Authority Mkanda in Mulanje district and he is a subsequent offender.