The Zomba Senior Resident Court has convicted Sub Inspector Luciano Tepani after finding him guilty of grievance harm charges.

The court, held that on July 25, 2017, Tepani, arrested and locked a 13 year old boy, at Sakata Police Unit where he was the Officer-In-Charge, on suspicion that he stole a cellphone from his neighbour.

On the night of the same day, Sub Inspector Tepani, assaulted the child by beating him heavily using a metal bar where he damaged his left eye in the process.

He then advised parents to the victims to tell hospital officials that the boy got injured when he was chopping firewood.

The child then went an operation where doctors at the Zomba General Hospital, recommended to have his eye removed as it was severely damaged.

Police, then later transferred him from Sakata Police Unit where he committed the offense to Thondwe Police Post where he has been operating from till Thursday, 26th March, 2020, his judgement day.

Reading the judgement on behalf of the presiding magistrate, Robert Makayika, Senior Resident Magistrate Maxwell Chande, said the court was satisfied with the evidence it got from the state as it proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.

“The state proved the case beyond reasonable doubt and it finds it necessary to convict the suspect,” said Chande while quoting the judgement.

And in mitigation, the convict, who is 30 years old now asked the court for lenience saying he is an orphan and that he is on treatment for his mental challenges.

Speaking to YFM Online, Police prosecutor in the case, Senior Superintendent Christopher Katani, who is also the Eastern Region Police Prosecuting Officer said the conviction of Sub Inspector Tepani, should be a warning to every police officer that no one is above the law.

The court, has therefore set Wednesday, April 8, 2020 to deliver its sentence.