Bulawayo — A TUBERCULOSIS patient who stole a sachet of sour milk last Friday escaped a custodial sentence after a magistrate found in his favour that he had stolen out of need.

Edwin Ncube, of 56249 Old Lobengula, pleaded guilty to theft when he appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Miss Sithembiso Ncube.

He was warned, cautioned and discharged after Miss Ncube found in his favour that he had stolen the milk valued at $195 billion because he was hungry.

Asked by Miss Ncube why he had committed the offence, Ncube said he was a TB patient and had taken his medication so he was feeling hungry.

"What was your intention?" asked the magistrate.

"I was hungry. I am a TB patient and had taken my tablets, so I needed something to eat," he replied.

It was also found in Ncube's favour that he had pleaded guilty and therefore did not waste the court's time.

Miss Ncube said the accused was also a first offender and had acted out of need and not greed so the court had to be lenient with him.

She, however, strongly warned the accused against committing a similar offence.

The court heard that Ncube went to a supermarket in the city and stole the 500ml sachet and stuffed it in his jacket.

He was apprehended by a security guard who later handed him over to the police.