R v Muyapekwa (Criminal Review Case 16 of 1938) [1938] ZMHCNR 5 (31 December 1938)

[Vol. II R. v. MUYAPEKWA. Criminal R eview Case No. 16 of 1938. Severity o f sentence—housebreaking and theft (six charges), theft (six charges) and escape—total value of stolen properly £11— sentences totalling imprisonment for fifteen years six months reduced to seven years six months notwithstanding many previous convictions. The question o f punishment is often a difficult m atter; this case shows the view taken by the High Court as to the sentences appropriate in the circumstances therein recorded. F rancis, C . J .: The punishments in cases 1 to 13 have been sub­ mitted for confirmation. They consist of six offences o f breaking and entering, six o f theft (the total value o f the property stolen amounted to £11), and one escape from gaol, committed during the period between 8th November, 1937, and 11th January. For these offences the accused has been sentenced to imprisonment totalling fifteen years and six months; sentences o f five years and six months having been imposed to run concurrently with previously imposed sentences; in the result the prisoner will have to serve ten years I. H . L . From the record o f previous convictions it would appear that the accused has had sentences aggregating fourteen years imposed on him in respect o f theft between 19th September, 1927, and 7th February, 1934. By a simple calculation it might appear that he should have been released from gaol (if he did not forfeit marks) on the 6th November, 1937. Con­ sequently it would seem that two days after his release from his last sentence o f five years, he again started on a dishonest career. Although the intrinsic value o f the property is not high, its economic value to the native owners in the Mongu-Lealui area must have been important. The only place for a man with this record is prison, but I hesitate a confining him for as long as ten years. Accordingly I reduce the sentences as follow s: Case I from two years to twelve months. Case 4 from two years to twelve months. Case 7 from eighteen months to twelve months. A reduction o f two and a half years from the aggregate o f consecutive sentences imposed in cases 1 to 9. The sentences in cases 10 to 13 to run concurrently with the pre­ ceding sentences, the aggregate o f which as now reduced stands at seven years and six months.