Mulanje first grade magistrate’s court on Thursday sentenced a 46-year-old teacher to 14 years imprisonment for defiling a standard five pupil.

Assistant Superintendent Davison Banda of Mulanje Police Station told the court that the convict, Thomas Mzunga, had been in sexual relationship with the pupil.

The Aunt to the victim, suspected that the two had a sexual affair but they both expressed ignorance on the matter.

The denial forced the victim’s Aunt to report the matter to police who arrested the teacher following the victim’s confirmation of the affair.

Police charged him with defilement that contravenes section 138 of the penal code.

But appearing before his worship Smart Maruwasa, the man denied the charge forcing prosecuting team to parade eight witnesses to prove it beyond reasonable doubt.

After Satisfied with the evidence, first grade magistrate Smart Maruwasa found him guilty in a case that had run for close to a year.

In his submission, Mulanje Police Station Prosecution Officer (SPO), Assistant Superintendent Banda prayed for a stiff punishment.

He said what Mzunga did was a sign of irresponsibility requiring a stiff penalty to serve both as a lesson to him and to would-be-offenders.

But despite telling the court that he looks after his old mother hence the need for compassion, magistrate Maruwasa dismissed the mitigation and imposed a 14-year jail term on Mzunga.

The magistrate said teachers, just like any other grown-ups have the responsibility to ensure the safety and security of children especially girls.

Mzunga hails from James village in the area of senior chief Mabuka in the district.