The Soroti chief magistrate has sentenced a turkey thief to six months in prison after he pleaded guilty to the offence.
Timothy Okolimong, 28, a resident of Akaikai village, Arapai sub-county in Soroti district, while appearing before Soroti chief magistrate Hilda Bakanansa Walaga on September 9, 2024, confessed that he stole the turkey to sell it since his uncle was not helping him.
Prosecution, led by state attorney Paul Okello, indicated that it was on August 8, 2024, at about 2:00 am while at Akaikai village, Arapai sub-county in Soroti district, when Okolimong was seen fleeing with his uncle Julius Otim’s turkey.
Okolimong while in court prayed for leniency in the sentencing arguing that he was an orphan.
However, the state attorney prayed for heavy punishment to deter theft which is rampant among the youth in the area.
Theft carries a maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment when found guilty, however, the convict pleaded mercy, requesting the court for a light sentence.
Bakanansa jailed him for six months saying the convict had not wasted court’s time and resources by confessing to stealing the turkey.