Chief Resident Magistrate Court in Lilongwe on Monday sentenced Steven Phiri to 20 years in prison for defiling and 18 months for abducting a 13 year-old girl.

In November 2021, the convict deceived the girl by telling her that there was peace work of drawing water in area 43 but on their way, he took her the to the bush where he defiled her.

After the ordeal, the accused person took the girl and boarded a motorcycle to Mtandire where he left her with a certain woman where she spent the night.

The following day, the convict took the  girl to rest house where she was defiled again.

Someone who knows the girl saw her and reported the matter to her parents who managed to rescue her with the help of police.

Appearing in court, Phiri denied all charges which prompted the state to parade nine witnesses to prove the case.

In submission, the state pleaded with the court for stiffer punishment saying that the girl has suffered physically and psychologically.

Passing judgement, Judge Patrick Chirwa concurred with the state that the minor has been victimised physically and mentally, he also said that the stiffer punishment was the best thing to do since defilement cases are talk of the day.

Phiri, hails from Gunya village in Traditional Authority Chakhumbira in Ntcheu.