The Dowa First Grade Magistrate’s Court has sentenced Damiano Chimkango, a village headman, to 8 years in prison for raping a 21-year-old woman.

State prosecutor, Inspector Christopher Daluni told the court that the convict committed the offence on the night of December 25, 2020.

“Chimkango sneaked into the house of the victim and started raping her after her husband left her alone to attend a Christmas Party within the village.

“The woman screamed for help as Chimkango ran away from the house and was later arrested on April 6, 2021,” Daluni told the court.

Chimkango pleaded not guilty to a charge of rape and this prompted the state to parade four witnesses, leading to his conviction.

Giving his determination, Magistrate Amran Phiri observed that as a leader, the convict should have been exemplary in protecting his subordinates not raping them.