High Court Judge, Justice Simon Byabakama- Mugenyi, has spared an aggravated robber a death penalty and instead sentenced him to a 9-year- imprisonment.
Justice Byabakama on Thursday evening convicted Mr Jimmy Ojok, 26, a resident of Palenga village, Bobi Sub County in Gulu district as charged.
Ojok who appeared at Gulu High Court had earlier denied the charges.
Prosecution led by Joanita Tumwikirize alleges that on the May 7, 2011, Ojok attacked one Mr Nekonori Olal with a panga before robbing him.
Olal sustained injuries and lost some property as well.
State Prosecutor Tumwikirize prayed that the judge should hand the convict the maximum sentence.
She told court that such offence is on the rise and it is upon court to send warning to the public.
However, the lead counsel for Ojok, Judith Oroma prayed for leniency saying her client has a poor health condition due to a liver disease and that being he is a first time offender and has also been remorseful.
Ojok, a father of three told Justice Byabakama that he has learnt his lesson after spending four years on remand and asked court to show leniency by giving him a lighter sentence.
The judge accordingly sentenced him to nine years putting into consideration the time he has spent on remand.
While passing his ruling, the judge said, “Few people have had the opportunity to tell their stories unlike Olal who survived the vicious attack.”
The judge noted that the court has a duty to protect those who struggle to make a a decent life by working.
He also warned the youth against extravagant life without toiling for it.
Ojok began to serve the remaining five of the nine years of his sentence at Gulu Central Prisons on Thursday evening.
