The Salima Senior Resident Magistrate’s court, has sentenced a 31 year old man identified as Lameck Phiri to 12 years imprisonment with hard labour for defiling his 15 year old step daughter.

The court heard that   Phiri had sent other three children to the market before he forced himself on the girl.

Later, the girl reported to a close relation before Phiri was arrested.

In submission, the state prayed for stiffer punishment after considering the increase in number of sexual offences in the district and that the convict failed to perform his role as a parent.

However, Phiri asked for forgiveness saying he is the only breadwinner in the family.

Passing sentence, Senior Resident Magistrate Joan Kwatiwani said Phiri presented a bad image of a parent and needed to get more years.

Phiri, hails from Kabundule village in the area of Traditional Authority Mwase in Kasungu District.