Nkhata Bay Senior Resident Magistrate’s Court has sentenced 22-year-old Martin Kaunda to 21 years imprisonment for defiling his niece.
The court heard through the State Prosecutor Andrew Singini that the suspect had been defiling the girl several times until her mother discovered it on June 25, this year.
According to the mother, the 12-year-old girl used to cry when taking a bath and it was discovered that her private parts were swollen.
The matter was then reported to the police, leading to the arrest of Kaunda who was charged with defilement.
Kaunda pleaded not guilty to the charges rendered against him and this prompted the state to parade four witnesses.
Singini asked the court to give a stiffer sentence that would deter would-be offenders as the tendency of defiling girls leave them traumatized.
In his submission to the court, Kaunda prayed for leniency saying what he did was influenced by the devil.
Delivering his ruling on Friday, Senior Resident Magistrate Issa Maulidi dismissed Kaunda’s mitigating factors and sentenced him to 21 years imprisonment with hard labor.
Kaunda hails from Gwazera Village in Traditional Authority Mkumbira.
