A BID to impress a university girlfriend backfired for a Jet Stores administrations clerk, Kwekwe branch, after he stole a pant, skirt and short, valued at $22,85, leading to his arrest.

Tawanda Chakaziva (26) was last week sentenced to nine months imprisonment, five of which were suspended on condition of good behaviour, while the remaining four were commuted to 140 hours of community service at Chiedza Primary School by Kwekwe magistrate Tavengwa Sangster after full trial.

The court heard that on October 9 this year, Chakaziva stole a ladies pant, skirt and short valued at $22,85, which he placed in a plastic bag and hid them in his underwear, but was unlucky to be apprehended by the security guards.

The convict stole the goods intending to give to This girlfriend, a marketing student at Great Zimbabwe University.

In mitigation, Chakaziva pleaded: “Your worship, I have suffered enough since I have lost my job and have been thrown into the reserve pool of unemployment, I am begging this honourable court to spare me a custodial sentence and I am more than willing perform community service.“

Divine Chakombera represented the State.

NewsDay