Zomba Senior Magistrate court has sentenced a 42-year-old man to 16 years imprisonment with hard labour for defiling an 8-year-old girl and also infecting her with a sexual transmitted disease.

The convict has been identified as Leneke Ziliro Banda who received his sentence after appearing in court on Thursday last week.

Police prosecutor Inspector Glady’s Jentala told the court that the convict has two wives, the elder one being the aunt to the victim. It was also told that he used to visit to the house of the junior wife and also the senior wife who was staying with the victim after her parents passed away.

On the material day, Banda visited his senior wife’s house where he only found the girl. While there, Banda defiled the young who later revealed the ordeal to her aunt when she returned.

Upon hearing that, Banda’s wife (victim’s aunt) reported the matter to Chingale Police Station hence the arrest of the culprit.

Hospital test revealed that the girl was indeed defiled and that she had been given syphilis in the process.

Appearing in court, Banda was found guilty to the charge of defilement contrary to section 138 of the penal code. In his mitigation, Banda asked the court to be lenient with him stating that he has two wives and also has several children that he looks upon.

But when passing his judgment, Zomba Senior Resident Magistrate Paul Chiotcha said Banda’s excuse could not influence the sentence as the offence committed is serious.

He then sentenced him to 16 years imprisonment with hard labour.

He comes from Changata village in the area of T/A Changata in Thyolo.