The First Grade Magistrate’s Court in Dowa has sentenced 42-year-old Tsoka Baloni to 18 months in prison for attempting to sodomise a fellow suspect whilst in police custody.

State prosecutor, Sergeant Joseph Banda told the court that Baloni committed the offence during the night of April 25, 2021 at Dowa Police Station.

Banda further said that the victim was arrested for a case of theft while the convict is answering a case of incest.

He asked the court to pass a stiff punishment to the offender saying the offence committed is serious in nature and that the offender was answering another case of incest, signifying that he does not want to change his behaviour.

Passing the sentence, Magistrate Amran Phiri concurred with the state and sentenced him to 18 months imprisonment with hard labour.

Baloni comes from Phaninga Village in the area of Traditional Authority Dzoole in Dowa District.