A 29 year-old man from Chikamba village, Traditional Authority Fukamapiri in Nkhata Bay district, has been sentenced to 13 years imprisonment with hard labour for hacking his 15 year-old sister and a two-year brother with an axe.

The convict, identified as Lameck Mwale, pleaded guilty to the charges, saying he acted under the influence of Indian hemp.

Nkhata Bay Magistrate’s Court went on to slap him with a 13 year jail term. Magistrate Anthony Banda described the convict’s behaviour as barbaric.

Mwale hacked the sister and brother on the neck and head, respectively.