First Grade Magistrate Court sitting at Malomo in Ntchisi has on January 31, 2024, convicted and sentenced Kumbukani Banda, 22, to 5 years imprisonment with hard labour for having sex with a minor.

Ntchisi Police Public Relations Officer, Salomy Zgambo said the court heard through Prosecutor Sergeant Virginia Kasiya that the convict was involved in sexual Intercourse with a 15-year-old girl from February 2023.

Appearing in court, Banda pleaded guilty to the charge levelled against him.

In mitigation, Banda pleaded for the court’s leniency saying he was not aware that what he was doing was a crime and had planned to marry the victim.

In submission, the state reminded the court that such cases are becoming rampant in the district hence pleaded for a maximum sentence as a deterrent to would-be offenders.

Passing sentence, First Grade Magistrate Dorothy Kaluba concurred with the state that the girl child needs to be protected at any cost and that ignorance of the law is not a defence, hence slapped him to 5 years imprisonment with hard labour.

Banda hails from Chisamba village, Traditional Authority Kawamba in Kasungu District.