A 37-year old man from Ibanda District has been handed a three year prison sentence for burglary. Ronald Tashorora pleaded guilty to charges of breaking into a home and stealing dry beans worth over 100,000 Ugandan shillings.
Presiding Magistrate Esther Murungi of Ibanda Grade One Magistrate’s Court delivered the sentence on Tuesday. In her ruling, Murungi emphasized that Tashorora was a repeat offender who had previously served an 18 month sentence for similar crimes of housebreaking and theft.
She said his recidivism demonstrated an unwillingness to reform, and a continued risk to the community.
“Although you pleaded guilty to the offence, you are a habitual offender who should be put away for a long period of time. You are, therefore, sentenced to three years in prison,” Murungi said while reading the sentence, adding that the sentence would be less of the time spent on remand.
The latest incident occurred on July 27th, when Tashorora broke into 63-year old Oliva Kobwemi’s home in Rwahura village and stole 33kg of dry beans. He was caught leaving the scene and handed over to police.
Tashorora had already spent 3 weeks and 2 days in pre-trial detention at Nyabuhikye Prison. With time served subtracted, he will spend the next 3 years incarcerated at the same facility to serve out his sentence.