A Kaduna Chief Magistrates’ Court, on Thursday, ordered that a 21-year-old scavenger, Ibrahim Usman, be given eight strokes of the cane for stealing a she-goat.

The convict, who admitted committing the offence, pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy, saying that he was misguided by his friends.

While delivering judgment, the Magistrate, Ibrahim Emmanuel, said the court was merciful with the defendant because he did not waste time in admitting his guilt.

Emmanuel ordered that Usman be given eight strokes of the cane and warned him to desist from committing crime in future, adding that the court might not be this lenient the next time he appears before him.

Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, Insp. Chidi Leo, told the court that the convict committed the offence on October 6 at Ungwan Rimi, Kaduna.

According to Leo, the convict, who was caught by members of the vigilante group with the goat at Ali Akilu Road, Kaduna, could not give satisfactory explanation on how he got it.

He said the convict confessed that he stole the goat from his neighbour’s house when he was taken to the Police station for questioning.

The prosecutor said the offence contravened the Penal Code of Kaduna State, 2017.