The Senior Residence Magistrate court sitting at Nayuchi in Machinga District on August 15, 2022 sentenced Frank Likonde, 90, for defiling a 16-year-old imbecile.

When presenting facts in court, state prosecutor inspector Idah Mzama of Liwonde Police Station told the court that on 10 August 2022 at Molipa area, the victim was left alone at home by her aunt who had gone to the garden.

Mzama said that the elderly who is a neighbour to the victim took advantage of the absence of the guardian and convinced the girl who coaxed her to the garden where he defiled her.

In the process he was caught by some members of the community who reported the issue to Liwonde Police.

Appearing in court the convict pleaded not guilty and this prompted the state to parade five witness who proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.

In mitigation, the convict asked the court for leniency, saying he is very old and he is taking care orphans.

However, prosecutor Mzama pleaded with the mobile court for stiffer punishment, citing that cases of such nature are on a rise and serious in nature.

When passing sentence magistrate Muhammad Chande concurred with the state and slapped him to 6 years imprisonment with hard Labour for defiling an imbecile contrary to section 139 of the penal code.

Frank T. Likonde hails from Chikwakwata village, Traditional Authority Nsamala in Machinga District.