NKhata Bay Principal Resident Magistrate Court has convicted and sentenced a 63-year-old man to 18 years imprisonment with hard labour for having sexual intercourse with his 12-year-old niece at Chigwiti in the district.

State prosecutor Isaac Imedi  identified the convict as Bimu Chirwa and told the court that Chirwa took advantage when he went to the girl’s home and found that her parents were not around.

NKhata Bay Police Public Relations Officer  Kondwani James said that the incident happened in the afternoon of July 23, 2023 where Chirwa reportedly sent the girl’s elder brother to a distant hawker to buy him a cigarette and this is when he forcefully defiled the girl.

James further said that as a brother came back, he found her crying and she explained to him about the fate she encountered.

“Immediately after the parents came back, they reported the matter to Chintheche Police Post where swift action was taken and the suspect was arrested and charged with having sexual intercourse with a child which is contrary to Section 138 of the penal code “, James said.

During his first appearance in court, Chirwa denied the charge, prompting the state to parade six witnesses who testified against him and proved the case.

Principal Resident Magistrate Clemence Derricks Chamwenda sentenced Chirwa to 18 years imprisonment with hard labour effective from the date of his arrest.