Notorious gang leader jailed 20 years

…bit off woman’s nose in struggle

A GANG leader in Kitwe has been sentenced to 20 years imprisonment with hard labour for terrorising residents including attempting to a rape a woman whose nose he bit off.

Twenty-six-year-old-Peter Sinyangwe the leader of the Sons of Devil notorious gang will spend 20 years behind bars for five counts, which will run consecutively.

Kitwe Resident Magistrate Malota Phiri said the court had an obligation to send a strong message because the gangs had caused pain and disturbance in society.

“You went on to violently assault a woman, biting her nose and leaving her with a scar. Your gang was targeting women at night. Your behaviour with your gang has to come to an end today," the Magistrate said in handing down the sentence.

Mr Phiri the Sons of the Devil gang had exhibited bad behaviour and was therefore going to send a serious message to all the gangs.

The magistrate jailed Sinyangwe, of Kwacha Township on five offences, carrying four years each and would run one after another.

Sinyangwe on June 17 this year in Kitwe severely assaulted Francis Ching’andu, thereby occasioning actual bodily harm and grabbed K70 from him.

On July 4 this year Sinyangwe went on rampage again, but this time attempted to force himself on a housewife, whose nose he bit off in the struggle leaving a deep scar.

In this case, Sinyangwe was initially charged with attempted rape, which was reduced to assault.

Sinyangwe in the third count was jailed for theft from person, after snatching one cell phone and K150 cash from Regina Kapema on August 9, this year.

He yet against pounced on Mr James Mpundu Chanda from whom he stole another mobile phone and K150 cash altogether valued at K260.

The love for other people’s property did not end there, as Sinyangwe continued his escapades and pounced on Sandra Nachilima. He grabbed her phone and K130 cash.

In mitigation, Sinyangwe said he was a first offender and asked for leniency.

"In count one you assaulted an innocent man all for a K70; this behaviour will not be entertained and I will send a serious message to all the gangs,” the magistrate warned.

Mr Phiri, therefore, sent to jail Sinyangwe and the sentences will run consecutively effective August 19 this year.