Man gets 21 years for defilement

Ntcheu Magistrate’s Court has sentenced a 32-year-old man (name withheld to conceal the identity of the victim) to 21 years imprisonment for defiling his sister-in-law, 16.

State prosecutor Samie Liwonde told the court that the convict committed the offence in March 2020 in the district.

He said the man enticed the victim with K2 000 to sleep with her.

“When the victim became pregnant, he warned her not to mention him,” said Liwonde.

However, the man pleaded not guilty to a charge of defilement which contravenes Section 138 (1) of the Penal Code, but the State paraded witnesses and proved its case.

In mitigation, he prayed for leniency, saying he is a first offender.

But senior resident magistrate Yohane Munthali dismissed the accused and handed him 21 years, saying defilement cases were on the rise in the district.

“It is worrisome to note that such cases are rampant in Ntcheu, which are denying victims a brighter future; hence, a stiffer punishment will deter other would-be offenders,” he said.