The Lilongwe Magistrate court is reported to have sentenced and convicted a 25-year-old man, John Chirwa to 7 years imprisonment with hard labour for defilement.

State prosecutor Sub Inspector Kephace Mwangonde of Kawale Police that in May 2021 the convict had misunderstanding with his wife and this prompted the wife to go to her home village.

In the same month of May, the convict proposed the victim and defiled her.

The victim who is 15 years remained silent and discovered that she was pregnant in July, 2021.

In October, her mother noticed some changes in her child and asked her who was responsible revealing Chirwa, who happens to be her neighbor had impregnated her.

The matter was reported at Kawale Police and the victim was referred to Kamuzu Central Hospital for examination and results showed that she was sexually assaulted and was pregnant.

Appearing in court Chirwa pleaded guilty to the charge levelled against him.

In submission the state told the court that Chirwa committed a serious crime and prayed for a stiffer punishment to deter other would be offenders and that the victim is a standard 6 pupil which meant her studies have been jeopardized.

In mitigation the convict begged for leniency saying he is the first offender and that he wanted to take care of the victim and the pregnancy.

Passing judgment Senior Resident Magistrate Florence Msekandiana concurred with the state and sentenced him to 7 years Imprisonment with hard labour.

Chirwa comes from Kauta Village, Traditional Authority Fukamapiri in Nkhatabay District.