Principal Resident Magistrate Clemence Chamwenda has convicted and sentenced a 44 year old man identified as James Whitman to 21 years imprisonment with hard labour for defiling a 14 year old girl in Dedza.
State prosecutor Sub Inspector Mabvuto Phiri told the court that on July 5 , 2022, the victim was sent by her mother to water vegetables at a garden, while there, the convict fondled the victim’s private parts and defiled her.
In mitigation, the convict asked for court’s leniency, saying that he is the first offender and that he takes care of his old mother who is lame.
Passing the sentence through a mobile court at Lobi, Chamwenda sentenced him to 21 years imprisonment to deter other would-be offenders.
