A 30-year0old man in Machinga district has been convicted and sentenced to 12-years-imprisonment with hard labour for defilement offence which is contrary to section 138 of the penal code.

The convict has been identified as Assam Kabati who is said he had for so long been defiling the victim who also happens to be his sister in law.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Davie Katandika told the court that the young girl once reported the matter to her grandmother and the accused was disciplined and apologized for his misconduct.

But he later got back to his habits when one day he followed the girl to the garden where he dragged her to a nearby bush and forced himself on her.

The matter was revealed and reported to Machinga police station where the girl was given a medical report form for medical examination and treatment.

Hospital results indicated that indeed the girl was defiled.

However, appearing in court, the accused denied to have defiled the girl prompting the prosecuter to parade some witnesses who testified against him.

Police prosecutor noted that the girl was traumatized and therefore the accused deserved a stiff punishment.

In his judgement,First Grade Magistrate Jones Masula concurred with the prosecuter and sentenced the accused to 12-years imprisonment with hard labour to deter other would be offenders.

Kabati hails from Fundeni village in the area of traditional authority Chamba in Machinga.