The Balaka First Grade Magistrate’s Court has sentenced 40-year-old Keston Maliro to 14 years lmprisonment with hard labour for sleeping with his 17-year-old step daughter.

Police Prosecutor Bodwin Msukwa told the court that on the night of October 13, 2023, the victim and her younger sister were sleeping in their room when suddenly she saw her stepfather entering the room and he forced her to sleep with him.

The girl shouted for help but it was too late.

Passing sentence, First Grade Magistrate Phillip Chibwana sentenced Maliro to14 years imprisonment with hard labour as a deterrent to would-be offenders.

Keston Maliro hails from Manda Village in the area of Traditional Authority Nkaya in Balaka District.