R. v. Lwalanda Banene, Dist. Ct. Crim. Case. 225-Geita-68; 14/10/68, Inspection Note by Seaton, J.

R. v. Lwalanda Banene, Dist. Ct. Crim. Case. 225-Geita-68; 14/10/68, Inspection Note by Seaton, J.

Accused was convicted of attempted suicide c/s 217, penal Code and sentenced to 5 strokes. He was boy of 11 years of age, whose attempt at suicide was caused by his father stopping him from going to school and ordering him to work in the shamba.

            Noted: “The offence of attempted suicide … is a difficult one to deter by punishment. Hence, courts usually deal with it by placing the offender on probation or in some other manner which while indicating society’s disapproval, nevertheless, holds out the hope of reform and re-kindling of the desire to live ….. although 5 strokes of the case is not a very severe punishment, in circumstances such as these, a sentence might have been spared and the offender let off with an admonition.”