LOVE FOR BALLOONS: 3 juveniles put on probation for stealing condoms

Three juveniles have been put on one year probation for stealing condoms which they were playing with as balloons.

The three also stole three Blood Pressure (BP) machines worth more than K2, 800 at Doors of Hope clinic in Ndola, Zambia.

The Juveniles were facing one count of breaking into a building and commit felony there in.

On February 26, this year, the said juveniles stole three blood pressure machines and some condoms at Doors of Hope clinic in Ndola’s Mackenzie Township.

When the case up Before Ndola Magistrate’s Court, Angela Mwanza 37, a social welfare officer of Mitengo Township said all the juveniles were first offenders who were remorseful for their actions.

Mwanza said that the juveniles admitted to committing the said offence and promised to refrain from crime activities.

“The three juveniles your honor might have committed the offense without full knowledge of what they were doing,” Mwanza said.

Mwanza said one of the juveniles was a school going child and that it was disappointing that such juveniles could involve themselves in such vices instead of concentrating on school.

Magistrate Peggy Banda for Judgment advised the juveniles to always stay away from people who will make them engage in such vices.

“If you commit this offence you go back in custody and this time you go as far as Southern province so make sure you ran away from people leading you to these vices,” Magistrate Banda said.

Magistrate Banda said smoking, drinking among other similar acts were leading some juveniles to such offences hence the need to stop them.

She has since urged the social welfare office to also commit themselves when counseling juveniles.

“I have therefore put you on one year probation all of you and if you are not happy with the decision you can appeal to the High Court within 14 days,” Magistrate Banda said.

-Mwebantu