The Mkukula Senior Resident Magistrate Court in Dowa has sentenced 38-year-old Yolamu Maliseni to 18 years imprisonment with hard labour for defiling his 11-year-old step daughter.

Police say prosecutor Senior Superintendent Eunice Kafamveka told the court that the man married the victim’s mother in September 2022.

Kanengo Police Assistant Spokesperson Linly Mwale says according to the girl, during some nights the mother would hold her legs and watch while her husband defiled the girl.

She said Maliseni would then warn her not to disclose to anyone, saying that her mother took no action.

Mwale says the victim said: “At other times, they could take me to watch them having sex, telling me to be learning from them for me to become an expert when I grow up.”

Mwale says the mother is appearing before court over the matter.