Senior Resident Magistrate Court in Dedza has convicted and slapped 37-year old man to 16 years imprisonment for defiling eight year-old girl.

State Prosecutor Sergeant Winfred Nkhuniwa identified the convict as Dalitso Mtonyo and told the court that Mtonya defiled the girl in full view of her seven-year old friend.

He said the convict lured the victim and her friend to Tanyaza Private Secondary School in Dedza, demanded them to undress and defiled her.

Mtonyo reportedly warned her not to tell anyone after giving them K300.

But the victim’s friend narrated the ordeal to her mother and a medical report confirmed the minor had been defiled.

Sensing danger, Mtonyo went into hiding but community policing forum members found and arrested him.

He pleaded not guilty in court, prompting the state to parade witnesses who proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.

Passing sentence, Senior Resident Magistrate James Mankhwazi handed Mtonyo a16-year jail term with hard as a deterrent to other would be offenders.