Mbabane – A 35-year-old man from Siphocosini appeared at the Mbabane Magistrates Court charged with stealing two bottles of alcohol on November 23 at Malagwane, Mantenga.
Magistrate Xolile Nxumalo was told that Sandile Vilakati took a bottle of Glenlivet 15-year-old whisky worth E1 000 and a bottle of Tanqueray gin worth E300 from the complainant, Vuyani Ntombini.
Vilakati said he understood the charges and chose to defend himself. He pleaded guilty and apologised, saying he regretted what he did and that it was a mistake. He told the court he was tempted and also explained that he has asthma and other chronic illnesses that need constant medication.
He said he is a sole breadwinner to his family, as he pleaded for a lighter sentence with the court after he was charged with one count of alcohol theft.
He said he was assaulted after being caught and added that he is a father of three and takes care of his sick grandmother.
He told the court he was drunk on the day of the incident, he did things carelessly and asked for leniency, saying jail would make life even harder for his family.
After putting his mitigation factors into consideration, Magistrate Nxumalo sentenced him to eight months in prison with an option to pay a E1 000 fine.
The sentence was also suspended for two years, meaning he will not go to jail if he does not commit a similar offence during the suspended period of time.
Discussion about this post