The Balaka First Grade Magistrate’s Court has convicted and sentenced a 46-year-old man Mahalf Wyson to 11years lmprisonment with hard labour for defiling his 12-year – old stepdaughter.

The court through State Prosecutor lnspector Bodwin Msukwa heard that Wyson committed the offence during the month of September 2022 at Kambeta Village in the district.

The convict during the month of September 2022, took the victim together with her young sister to Kambeta village (his wife’s home village) to take Maize.

Upon arrival, Mahalf Wyson gave his daughters the sum of K1000 to share equally with an intention of having carnal knowledge of the two.

While the girls were asleep, Wyson attempted to sleep with his daughters, but the two girls screamed for help.

People rushed to the house, but Wyson run away. The two minors then revealed that their stepfather wanted to sleep with them, but he failed.

Upon further enquiry, the 12-year-old victim, revealed that it was her father’s habit of defiling her whenever their mother was not around.

On receipt of the matter, Police in Balaka arrested the man and charged him with defilement contrary to section 138 of the penal code.

The State paraded three witnesses who proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.

Despite the convict praying for leniency, the State Prosecutor lnspector Bodwin Msukwa asked the court to give him a harsh custodial sentence.

Passing his Sentence, First Grade Magistrate Phillip Chibwana concurred with the State and slapped him with a 11years Jail term as a lesson to him and other would-be offenders.

The convict hails from the area of Traditional Authority  Mlumbe in Zomba District.