Malawian teen boy convicted for suicide attempt
The Blantyre Magistrates Court has convicted Peter Famous Baluti 17 years old for trying to terminate his own life following a quarrel with his mother.
Baluti a resident in Chiwandira Manase, Blantyre attempted the suicide on November 5, 2012 by hanging himself in his bedroom.
He hails from Sankhoma village T/A Nkhumba in Phalombe district.
According to the police statement tendered in court, Baluti picked up a quarrel with his mother, Agnes Baluti aged 35 years after he was accused of stealing K5000.
“The mother accused Peter Famous Baluti for being troublesome, and on November 4, he stole his mother’s money, which belonged to church, amounting to K5000 and went around partying. On the next day when the mother tried to reason with him, he hit her with a chair.
“He then went to his bedroom and hanged himself. But he was rescued after the mother noted a strange sound from the bedroom. When she rushed into the bedroom, she found Baluti hanged to the roof. She then called for help and neighbors came in to help and rescued him. They poured water on him to gain consciousness before was taken to police,” reads the statement.
Baluti pleaded guilty to the offence of attempted suicide and was convicted contrary to Section 229 of the Penal Code.
In mitigation, he asked the court to confine him in a prison where he will access education.
Meanwhile the case has been referred to Child Justice Court to determine which juvenile prison to confine him based on his age.
