The First Grade Magistrate Court in Rumphi has convicted and sentenced a 53-year-old man to 14 years imprisonment with hard labour for allegedly defiling a 14-year-old standard 7 pupil.

Charles Phiri was answering a defilement case which contravenes section 138(1) of the penal code.

Rumphi police deputy public relations officer, Sergeant Tupeliwe Kabwilo reports that the court through state prosecutor, Sub Inspector Rose Mwandelire heard that, on May, 5, 2019 ,the mother to the victim left home to Luzi area to visit her parents.

She left the victim and the siblings at home.

Later in the evening, the convict coaxed the victim to go to his house. Upon entering the house, he convinced the victim to go to the outside toilet behind his house.

Later, he followed her in the toilet and fulfilled his lust. He then gave her a sum of K1000 to zip her mouth.

Two months later, her Aunt noticed some changes on the victims body. She asked her about the changes which made the victim to reveal that she was defiled by Charles Phiri.

The Aunt immediately took the girl to Luzi Health Centre where medical personnel confirmed that the girl was indeed pregnant.

The matter was reported to Rumphi police who later arrested the suspect.

Appearing in court, the convict pleaded guilty to the charge levelled against him.

In her submission, the state prosecutor prayed for a stiffer punishment to teach the convict a lesson and deter the would be offenders.

In his mitigation, the convict prayed for leniency since he’s a breadwinner to his six children and he also take care of his old parents at his village.

But In his ruling ,his Worship Cuthbert Phiri concurred with the state and slapped the convict, 14 years imprisonment without hard labour.

The convict hails from Kamoza village, Traditional Authority Mkumbila in NkhataBay District.