Man gets 10 years for defilement
The Mulanje Magistrate’s Court on Monday convicted and sentenced Edison Chimowa to 10 years imprisonment with hard labour for defiling a 13- year-old girl.
The State through police prosecutor sub inspector Annock Fumbo told the court that on December 29, 2017, the victim left her home to fetch firewood in the mountain forest.
While working there, the suspect appeared suddenly, grabbed and pushed her down, consequently defiling her.
Fumbo told the court that the victim screamed for help but by the time it [the help] had arrived, the suspect was already on the run.
According to further information gathered from the police, the victim reported the matter to her parents who later reported the issue to police.
She was then referred to Mulanje District Hospital where medical examination confirmed that she had indeed been defiled.
The suspect was arrested on January 16, 2018 on defilement charges contrary to section 138 of the penal code.
He however pleaded not guilty to the charges in court but after accounts from witnesses paraded by the State, first grade magistrate Smart Maruwasa found him guilty.
In his submission, sub inspector Fumbo asked the court to impose a stiffer punishment to deter would-be offenders and protect young girls.
Passing the sentence, Maruwasa concurred with the State saying Chimowa’s actions needed a stiffer punishment.
He therefore slapped him with 10 years imprisonment with hard labour.
Chimowa, 31years old, comes from Mbewa village in the area of senior chief Mabuka in the district.
