The First Grade Magistrate’s Court in Kasungu has convicted and sentenced a 30-year man to 18-years imprisonment with hard labour for abducting and defiling a 17-year-old girl.

According to police investigations, the convict – Zakeyo Kalima was living together with the survivor from the month of September to December last year.

Appearing before court, the convict pleaded not guilty to both defilement and abduction charges prompting the state to parade five witnesses to prove the case.

“The convict and the survivor were in love affair and from the month of September and in December of the convict abducted her and was arrested on January 4, 2024, in Mchinji.

Appearing in court the convict pleaded not guilty to both charges, this prompted the state to parade five witnesses to prove the case,” said Police Prosecutor Sub Inspector Agnes Thindwa.

In his submission Thindwa asked the court for a stiffer punishment to deter other would-be offenders.

Pronouncing his judgement, First Grade Magistrate Chakaka Nyirenda concurred with the State and sentenced the convict to 13-years imprisonment with hard labour for the first count and 5-years to the second count, the sentence will run concurrently.

Kaima, hails from Mphanga Village, Traditional Authority Simphasi in Mchinji.

 Additional reporting by Sub Inspector Joseph Kachikho, Public Relations for Officer Kasungu Police Station.