The First Grade Magistrate court sitting at Kamboni in Kasungu on Tuesday January 31, 2023 convicted and sentenced a 40-year-old man, Lenard James Banda, to 14 years imprisonment with hard labour for defiling a 7 year-old girl.

The court through police prosecutor Sub Inspector James Muyila, heard that the convict on November 17, 2022, defiled the girl at Bazali village when she was on her way from Kamboni to Kapiri village with her elder sister.

The court further learnt that on the stated date, the convict was walking in front of the girls going the same direction. When they reached at a certain bushy area, the convict grabbed the young girl and took her into the bush and defiled her. The girls tried to call for help but no one came to their rescue. Later, the sisters proceeded and narrated the issue to their parents who together with community Policing members managed to arrest Banda and brought him to Kamboni police unit.

The victim was issued with a referral letter to Kamboni health centre and the results revealed that she was indeed defiled.

Appearing before court, the convict pleaded not guilty to the charge of defilement. This prompted the state to parade four witnesses to prove the case.

In his submission, police prosecutor prayed for a stiffer punishment, saying that such cases are on increase in Kasungu as well as in Malawi and him being an elder man has a responsibility to take good care of the victim, but instead he deliberately defiled the girl.

Passing sentence, First Grade Magistrate Johns Masula concurred with police prosecutor’s submission hence sentenced him to 14 years jail term to deter would-be offenders.

Banda comes from Kawande Village in Traditional Authority Kayembe in Dowa District.

Source: Nkhoma Synod Radio