The Alexandra Magistrates’ Court found an Alex resident guilty of housebreaking and theft from a neighbour and sentenced him to seven years imprisonment, suspended for five years.
Sfiso Ryam (26) was found guilty of breaking-and-entering, as well as theft of a bicycle and a gearbox from his neighbour’s home by the court on 1 June. The court heard that he was seen in her storeroom at 7.30am on 15 April and when asked what he was doing there, he claimed that he was collecting his bicycle.
On closer inspection, the neighbour found that a gearbox for a motor vehicle was also missing. She reported the matter to the police, who found her bicycle in the accused’s home – already stripped.
The accused also led the police to where he claimed the gear box was, but nothing was found, which led to his arrest.
In mitigation, his mother testified that he was mentally challenged.
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