Phalombe First Grade Magistrate Court has convicted and sentenced a 37-year-old man, Erick Bandawe, to 15 years imprisonment with hard labour (IHL) for having sex intercourse and impregnating his 14-year-old stepdaughter.

The court, through State Prosecutor Sub Inspector Dingiswayo Mbepula, heard that in October, 2023, the mother of the victim noticed that her child was pregnant.

When asked, the girl was silent until she was taken to a Child Protection Officer for further interrogation, where she revealed that she was impregnated by her stepfather.

He explained: “The matter was reported to police. A medical test was done, and results showed that the victim was four months pregnant.”

Appearing before First Grade Magistrate Leonard Mtosa, the convict pleaded not guilty to the charge levelled against him, prompting the state to parade two witnesses that proved that he committed the offence.

In mitigation, Bandawe pleaded for leniency, claiming he was a first offender and breadwinner to his family.

In submission, the state prayed for a stiffer punishment saying Bandawe had responsibility over the child than having sexual intercourse with her.

Erick Bandawe, comes from Chabe Village, Traditional Authority (TA) Kaduya in Phalombe.

In a related development, Phalombe First Grade Magistrate Court has also convicted and sentenced Cedrick Chikapa, 36, to 11 years IHL for being found guilty of having sexual intercourse with his stepdaughter, aged 14.

Cedrick Chikapa hails from Suluwati Village, TA Mkhumba in Phalombe.