The First Grade Magistrate Court in Dowa has sentenced a 20 year old man to 14 years Imprisonment with Hard Labor (IHL) for defiling 16 year old girl.

According to reports, the man has been identified as Innocent Phiri who hails from Chulu 1 village in the area of Traditional Authority Mponera.

The girl is reported to have a problem of mental imbecility.

The court through state prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent Gradys Jentala heard that last week, the victim went to Kasangadzi River to draw water where Phiri defiled her and immediately bolted from the place, leaving the victim alone at the place and the well-wisher escorted the victim to her mother.

Phiri pleaded guilty to the offence.

Passing judgment, First Grade Magistrate Anthony Banda described the offence as serious adding that cases of defilement are becoming rampant in the area and therefore jailed Phiri to 14 years imprisonment with hard labor to deter other would-be offenders.