A man arrested for trying to smuggle his baby out of a hospital in Kenya because he could not afford to pay the $500 (£387) bill has escaped a jail sentence.
Boniface Murage, 22, instead received a suspended three-month sentence, meaning he can be at home with the child.
It was a story that touched and enraged many Kenyans. Mr Murage attempted to smuggle his one-month-old baby out of the Kenyatta National Hospital without paying but was caught by security guards.
Offers of help poured in later – a lawyer offered pro-bono services, and well-wishers paid Mr Murage’s bill. Others offered him money.
In court, he pleaded guilty and was at risk of a jail sentence. But Magistrate Muthoni Nzibe released him, on condition that he doesn’t commit any wrong within three months.
