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Court Reporter
A Mbare magistrate yesterday sentenced a 22-year-old unrepentant shoplifter to six months in prison.

The magistrate Mr Stanford Mambanje said Winterbook Chivhina’s offence attracted a fine, but the circumstances surrounding the case were “special”.

“In normal circumstances, you were just going to pay a fine and go home but in the present circumstances a fine is no longer suitable. The chain of small crimes will become big if action is not taken. A suitable demonstration against such behaviour must be made,” he said.

“You told this court that you are unemployed and I now believe that you make a living by stealing and it is clear that you need help,” said Mr Mambanje.

The prosecutor Mr Lawrence Gangarahwe implored the court to impose a custodial sentence. Chivhina was found in possession of one bottle of easy wave’s hair relaxer cream and one 750 ml bottle of hair spray.