By Sarah Mlozoa

Mangochi Senior Resident Magistrate Court on Wednesday convicted and sentenced a 28 year old man to 10 years imprisonment for defiling a 15 year old girl.

Deputy Police Spokesperson, Amina Tepani identified the convict as Stephano Khiwale from Sambe village in Traditional Authority Namkumba in the district.

During court proceedings Mangochi police prosecutor Sub inspector Maxwell Mwaluka told the court that the victim was defiled on the night of new year`s eve when she went for celebrations with her friends at Nabale trading center in the district.

On her way home she met the accused who asked to escort her home since it was late.

Prosecutor Mwaluka added that the accused asked the girl to sleep with him on the way, but the victim refused and started running.

The accused caught the victim and defiled her.

The victim revealed the ordeal to her parents who reported the matter to Makokola police unit.

After being issued a medical report and results from Koche Health Centre confirmed that the victim was defiled.

Appearing in court the accused pleaded not guilty to the charge and the state paraded four witnesses who proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.

In mitigation Khiwale asked for court leniency saying that he was drunk, but prosecutor Mwaluka prayed for a stiffer sentence saying such cases are on the increase in the district which put girl’s lives under threat

When passing judgment his worship senior resident magistrate Joshua Nkhono found him guilty and handed him a 10 year old custodial sentence to deter other would be offenders.