DRINK-DRIVER KNOCKS DOWN PEDESTRIAN, FINED E9 800

MBABANE - A drink-driving offender has been fined E9 800 after he knocked down a pedestrian and further abandoned him on the road.

Antony Gerra (28) of Nkwalini made his appearance before Acting Mbabane Magistrate Innocent Motsa, charged with five counts. In the first count, Gerra was charged for driving a Honda Fit on a public road, while under the influence of alcohol. Gerra recorded 1.13mg/l on the alcoholmetre, according to the charge sheet. He acknowledged having knocked down Melusi Hlophe (27) of the same area after he failed to keep left on the road.  Gerra also admitted to having failed to stop after the accident. He was charged for failing to render assistance to Hlophe. He was also charged for failing to ascertain the nature and the extent of the injuries sustained by Hlophe.

Gerra pleaded guilty to all the charges. Mitigating on the sentence, he pleaded for the court’s leniency, stating that he was a first-time offender. He told the court that he had learnt his lesson. He stated that he was the breadwinner and took care of his family. Gerra undertook not to commit a similar offence in future. Magistrate Motsa sentenced Gerra to five years imprisonment with an option to pay a fine of E5 000 for drink-driving. He was sentenced to five months with an option to pay a fine of E800 for knocking down Hlophe. Gerra was further sentenced to two years imprisonment with an option to pay a fine of E2 000 for failing to stop immediately after causing the accident. The offender was fined E1 000 in each of the last two counts, he had to part with E9 800 to gain his freedom.

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