Robbery with violence lands man death sentence

A Nakuru court has sentenced to death 29-year-old man for robbing his neighbour Sh350 while armed with dangerous weapons.

Senior Principal Magistrate Judicaster Nthuku on Tuesday sentenced Mr Paul Cheruiyot Koech to death after he was found guilty of robbery with violence.

Mr Koech was charged that jointly with others not before court, armed with swords and clubs robbed Mr Peter Ng’etich Kipkurui.

They also made away with his Techno Mobile phone at Ndavimbi Trading Centre in Njoro, Nakuru County.

The court heard that the accused wounded the complainant on his stomach during the incident on April 16, 2013.

Ms Nthuku, while delivering judgment said the evidence produced before court had proved beyond reasonable doubt that Mr Koech had committed the offence.

“There is only one sentence for a person who robs another and I therefore sentence the accused person to death,” ruled the magistrate.

WITNESSES

Five witnesses who testified linked Mr Koech to the incident.

The complainant narrated to court how the accused waylaid him at around 7p.m., confronted him and demanded that he gives him all the money he had.

The court heard that Mr Ng’etich who was on his way home from his neighbour met the accused in the company of two others who were armed with dangerous weapons.

The court further heard that Mr Ng’etich recognized the voice of one man who he said was his neighbour for eight years.

“I also recognized his face due to the bright moonlight on that evening,” said the witness.

STABBED

He claimed the suspect on realizing that he had been recognized, stabbed him (the complainant) on his belly twice.

He screamed for help and his neighbours went to rescue him. At the time, the attackers escaped.

Mr Ng’etich later reported the matter at the Mau Narok police station leading to the arrest of Mr Koech.

The suspect in his defense had said he was asking for his Sh10, 000 debt from Mr Ng’etich.

APPEAL

He however, he later contradicted himself when he told the court that he was watching television with his mother at home at the time he is accused of committing the offence.

In mitigation, the accused told the court he is the sole breadwinner in his family and asked the court to pardon him.

However, the magistrate said the sentence was sufficient, according to the offense committed and gave him a 14 days window to appeal.