The Livingstone High Court has sentenced a 55-year-old man to 25 years imprisonment with hard labour for defiling his neighbor’s 7-year-old girl.

Mr Mulongwe Kanyinda of Choma district was facing one count of defilement contrary to section 138(1) of the Penal Code Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.

It is alleged that on 14th February, 2021 in Choma, the victim was playing at the convict’s house with other children when he lured the girl to go into the bathroom where he was bathing.

The girl told the court that when she entered the bathroom, the convict undressed her and forced his manhood into her vagina, after which she felt a lot of pain and screamed for help.

This attracted the attention of the other children who went to stand at the bathroom door.

In mitigation, Mr Kanyinda said he was remorseful for his actions and if he is given a custodial sentence, his children would suffer because he is the bread winner.

But Livingstone High Court Judge Willie Sinyangwe told the convict that being a married man, he should have summoned his wife if he needed to have sex than defiling a child.

Judge Sinyangwe then proceeded to mete it a 25-year sentence with hard labour on Mr Kanyinda to deter other would be offenders from destroying children’s futures.

Zambia Reports