Kidnapper pleads guilty
24 January 2019 | Justice
A 25-year-old woman, arrested for kidnapping a baby in Rehoboth on 11 November last year, pleaded guilty to the charge in the Rehoboth Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.
Sharon Kaenjerewandu appeared before Magistrate Kandinawapa Nangombe and admitted guilt when the charge was put to her. Judgment in the matter was set for yesterday.
Kaenjerewandu said in her plea explanation that she has a two-year-old child who lives on a farm with her 67-year-old grandmother.
She said she was asked by a friend, known only as Leon, to find him a child. When visiting a friend's house, the baby's mother handed over the then one-month-old baby to the accused to use the bathroom.
The moment the mother was out of sight Kaenjerewandu went to a service station in Rehoboth to meet Leon and hand over the baby, but he did not answer his mobile phone.
She then decided to take a lift to Windhoek and was informed the next day that the police were looking for her.
She informed the police where she was and was picked up by officers from the Wanaheda police station.
The police returned her to Rehoboth, where she handed over the baby unharmed.
Legal aid lawyer Ernestine Jansen said Kaenjerewandu was aware that kidnapping is a very serious offence and asked for the court's mercy.
“She is truly remorseful for her actions and does not wish to waste the court's time and puts herself at the mercy of the court.
“The sentence normally attracts a custodial sentence, however, we plead with the court to take her youthfulness into consideration and not bring her to a point where she sees no future for herself,” Jansen said.
She said it should be taken into consideration that the baby was not harmed.
The defence lawyer proposed a sentence of three years' imprisonment, with 18 months suspended for five years. She said it would do justice to the case but would not break the accused and would allow her to continue her life after serving her sentence.
Prosecutor Zibiho Munenze represented the State in the matter.
NAMPA
Sharon Kaenjerewandu appeared before Magistrate Kandinawapa Nangombe and admitted guilt when the charge was put to her. Judgment in the matter was set for yesterday.
Kaenjerewandu said in her plea explanation that she has a two-year-old child who lives on a farm with her 67-year-old grandmother.
She said she was asked by a friend, known only as Leon, to find him a child. When visiting a friend's house, the baby's mother handed over the then one-month-old baby to the accused to use the bathroom.
The moment the mother was out of sight Kaenjerewandu went to a service station in Rehoboth to meet Leon and hand over the baby, but he did not answer his mobile phone.
She then decided to take a lift to Windhoek and was informed the next day that the police were looking for her.
She informed the police where she was and was picked up by officers from the Wanaheda police station.
The police returned her to Rehoboth, where she handed over the baby unharmed.
Legal aid lawyer Ernestine Jansen said Kaenjerewandu was aware that kidnapping is a very serious offence and asked for the court's mercy.
“She is truly remorseful for her actions and does not wish to waste the court's time and puts herself at the mercy of the court.
“The sentence normally attracts a custodial sentence, however, we plead with the court to take her youthfulness into consideration and not bring her to a point where she sees no future for herself,” Jansen said.
She said it should be taken into consideration that the baby was not harmed.
The defence lawyer proposed a sentence of three years' imprisonment, with 18 months suspended for five years. She said it would do justice to the case but would not break the accused and would allow her to continue her life after serving her sentence.
Prosecutor Zibiho Munenze represented the State in the matter.
NAMPA
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