The Senior Resident Magistrate court in Mzuzu, has convicted and sentenced a 40-year old, Saulos Phiri to 21 years imprisonment with hard labour for having s3xual intercourse with minors.

The court through state prosecutor Inspector Kelvin Kamanga heard that on 17th May 2023 at Mtwalo Edundu area in Mzimba district Phiri had s3xual intercourse with two minors aged 16 and 11, who happens to be sisters.

The girls did not report the issue to their parents following the threats which the convict posed on them.

The court also heard that on the following day 18th May, Phiri grabbed the first victim (aged 16) to have the action again however, the girl managed to escape and narrated the story to her parents who then reported to police.

The victims were therefore reffered to the hospital checkup, and the report confirmed that the two had been defiled.

Appearing before court, Phiri pleaded guilty to the charges and asked the court for liniency since he has a family to care for.

In his submission, Kamanga asked the court to give the convict stiffer punishment.

The Senior Resident Magistrate Godfrey Nyirenda convicted and ordered Phiri to serve 21 years imprisonment for the first count and 21 years imprisonment with hard labour for the second count to deter other would be offenders.

Sentences to run concurrently

The convict hails from Linunga village Traditional Authority Kayembe in Dowa district.