By Sarah Mlozoa

Dowa First Grade Magistrate`s Court sitting at Msongandeu court has convicted and sentenced Group Village Headman M`gabi to 4 years imprisonment with hard labor for defiling a 13 year old girl.

According to public relations officer for Dowa Police Station Gladson M`bumpha, the incident happened at Kanthumkako village as the victim and convict were coming from night of prayers on September 28 this year.

On the particular day, Life of Glory Ministries church organized a night of prayer at Bosco ground and the convict together with the victim were among the participants.

After the prayers around midnight the two were going home together and on their way the convict defiled the victim.

Upon arriving home the victim reported the matter to her mother who in turn reported to Mvera Police Post.

Later the victim was referred to Mvera Mission Heath Center where medical examination revealed that she was indeed defiled.

Appearing before court the convict pleaded guilty to a charge of defilement and the state asked the court for a stiff punishment saying what the convict did was wrong by defiling her subject instead of protecting her

Passing sentence first grade magistrate Amran phiri concurred with the state for a stiff punishment hence sentencing him to 54 months imprisonment with hard labor as a caution to other would be offenders.

Group village headman M`gawi whose real name is James chilemba, aged 28 comes from M`gabi village in the area of Traditional Authority Khombedza in Salima.