The First Grade Magistrate Court in Nkhata-Bay has convicted and sentenced a 39-year-old James Mtambo to 21 years Imprisonment with Hard Labour (IHL) for defiling his 14-year-old stepdaughter in Choma Village in the district.
The accused defiled the girl twice on two occasions in December 2020 taking advantage of his wife’s absence on both occasions.
The court further heard that on December 23, 2020, Mtambo persuaded the girl to have sex with him. Despite denying him the opportunity, Mtambo insisted until he fulfilled his desire after following the girl in her bedroom and threatened her not to reveal to anyone.
On December 25, 2020, Mtambo called the victim into a tobacco barn where he defiled her too.
Police say after the ordeal, the victim reported the matter to her aunt who reported it to Nkhata-Bay Police.
Upon receiving the report, Police launched a manhunt that led to the accused’s arrest and charged him with defilement.
In court, Mtambo denied the charge, forcing the state to parade four witnesses who proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.
In submission, however, the State prayed for stiffer punishment, saying the convict would have taken a leading role in protecting the child being his stepdaughter.
Passing sentence, First Grade Magistrate Issa Maulidi objected to the mitigating factors and concurred with the State.
Magistrate Maulidi lamented the tendency by some men such as Mtambo and therefore, handed him a 21-year jail term.
Mtambo hails from Mtambo Village, Traditional Authority Mtambo in Chitipa District.
