A 70-year-old man was today convicted to serve six months in prison after his son absconded court proceedings.
Peter Ngotho Mbugua who bailed his son Joseph Kungu Ngotho in a robbery with violence case was sentenced by Principal Magistrate Judicaster Nthuku after lying to the court several times that his son was unwell.
Nthuku sentenced the 70-year-old to six months imprisonment until Kungu is availed in court.
It's alleged that Kungu and his accomplice John Muriithi Karugi robbed Daniel Muriethe Wagura a Mitsubishi FH lorry valued Ksh3million at Imbirikani area in Loitokitok Sub- County, Kajiado county on July 26, 2022.
David Muiruri Njoroge, the owner of the lorry, testified that on the material day, he received a call from his driver Wagura who informed him of a client in Nairobi who wanted to ferry books to Imbirikani.
Njoroge further said that the client came to meet him at Olkakou where he lived and paid a deposit of Ksh10,000 and agreed to pay the remaining Ksh20,000 upon delivery of the luggage before leaving with Wagura.
Wagura told the court that along the way they loaded construction materials instead of books and arrived at Imbirikani roadblock at around 4.00 am where they picked up the two accused and were directed to branch off towards their destination about 3km away.
He added that wrangles began when they ordered him to offload the lorry and he refused demanding that they offset the remaining balance.
Following the outcome of events, he was attacked and forced to drink a liquid that caused dizziness before they tied him to a tree and left with the lorry.
Joseph Mwaura, a resident of Loitokitok testified that he received reports and details of the stolen lorry from his friend who is a brother to the owner of the lorry in question.
He added that he reported the matter to police officers from Kimana police post who pursued the lorry after it was spotted along Kimana - Loitokitok road.
Mwaura added that the police managed to arrest the two and escorted them to Loitoktok police station where they were charged with the offence which the duo denied in court.
During court sessions, Kungu missed proceedings while his father lied to the court that he was unwell. The court has set November 28, 2022, for further hearing.
