Mangochi Senior Resident Magistrate Court on Wednesday July 7, 2021, convicted and sentenced Muhammad Jussab, 26, to 16 years imprisonment with hard labour for defiling a 14-year-old girl, contrary to Section 138(1) of the Penal code.

During court proceedings, Mangochi Police Station Prosecution officer lnspector Amos Mwase told the court that, during the month of May, 2021, the accused person found the victim stranded at Lilongwe bus depot and both were heading the Mangochi route.

The accused person promised to shoulder the victim’s expenses and escort her to her relatives in Ulongwe but instead he proceeded with the minor to his house in Mangochi where he defiled her several times.

Prosecutor Mwase added that Jussab also forced the minor to go street begging in order to raise money for business.

In the process, the minor met a good Samaritan who was willing to help and send her back to school.

The minor took this as an opportunity and narrated the ordeal to the good Samaritan who brought her to Mangochi Police Station.

She was issued medical report form and the results from Mangochi district hospital confirmed that the girl was defiled.

Appearing in court, the accused person pleaded not guilty to the charge and the state paraded four witnesses who proved the case beyond  reasonable doubt.

In mitigation, he asked for the court’s leniency saying that he acted out of goodwill and has been taking good care of the victim.

However the state quashed his plea arguing such cases are on the increase despite government and stakeholders relentlessly working towards protecting and uplifting rights of the girl child.

When passing judgement, Senior Resident Magistrate Rodrick Michongwe concurred with the state hence the sentence to serve as a lesson to him and other would-be offenders.

Jussab hails from Thakiwa village, Traditional Authority Njema in Mulanje district.