Defiler gets 21yrs custodial sentence
The Chief Resident Magistrate Court in Mzuzu has slapped a 27-year-old father with 21 years imprisonment with hard labour (IHL) for repeatedly defiling his six-year-old step daughter and infecting her with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
Daniel Mbukwa of Miyombo Village, Traditional Authority (T/A) Kilupula in Karonga was convicted and sentenced last week in what has been viewed as a landmark ruling in defilement-related cases.
According to court documents, the man had been having canal knowledge of the little girl on many occasions, to the extent of infecting her with (STDs).
Sadly, the victim, who hailed from Saidi Village, T/A Ndindi in Salima, succumbed to the diseases two weeks ago before the court concluded her case.
However, at the time of her death, she had already given her full evidence to the court.
Passing judgment, Chief Resident Magistrate Texious Masoamphambe said the suspect needed a stiffer punishment, as maximum sentence for the offence he committed is life imprisonment.
State prosecutor Vickness Simwinga earlier pleaded with the court to give the suspect a maximum sentence because the victim suffered trauma and was no more.
The prosecutor said defilement cases were on the increase and the suspect needed a stiffer punishment to deter would-be offenders and to protect other children from being victimised.
