Rampant ram is jailed for three years for headbutting woman to death
A ram has been sentenced to three years in jail after it was convicted of killing a woman.
The baffling sentence was passed by a court in Rumbek, capital of the Lakes State in South Sudan.
The ram, officials say, will serve its time in a tough military prison.
Rumbek police arrested the animal in Maleng Agok Payam after it repeatedly headbutted the woman, named as Adhieu Chaping.
The 45-year-old, who suffered severe chest injuries, died at the scene before rescuers could get there, a court heard.
Witnesses said the woman had been struck in the chest several times and sustained massive damage to her ribs.
"The sheep was apprehended and was placed in police custody," local police spokesman Major Elijah Mabor Makuach said.
Quizzed as to why it was appropriate to arrest a sheep, he replied: "Our role as a road safety for the population and to separate fights."
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Ram's owner pays compensation to victim's family
The ram's owner Duony Manyang Dhal has been ordered to give five cows to the victim's family as compensation, local media report.
Following the sheep's arrest, police said they believe the owner played no part in its guilty misconduct.
"The owner is innocent and the ram is the one who perpetrated the crime so it deserves to be arrested then later on the case shall be forwarded to customary court where the case can be handed amicably," Major Mabor said.
Police said arresting the sheep was the right thing to do given the strong evidence that it was responsible for the woman's death.
After its release from military camp, the ram will be given to the victim's family, which is custom when a domesticated animal kills a person.
It is understood that the owner of the ram and the family of the victim live next to each other and are related.
They apparently signed a contract accepting the verdict and the new ownership of the ram after the three-year sentence is complete.
CEN/Australscope
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