The Rumphi First Grade Magistrate Court has convicted and sentenced Happy Lewis Simwaka, 28, to 14 years imprisonment for having sexual intercourse with a 14-year-old girl and to 5 years for abduction.

The court heard through state prosecutors, Sub Inspector Malumbo Jere and Jonathan Mumba that Simwaka, and the victim were living at a Youth Net and Counseling (YONECO) safe house in the district.

On January 4, 2023, the convict abducted the victim and took her to Zambia and afterwards he went with her to Thazima where they settled as husband and wife. He was arrested on September 7, 2023 and the victim was rescued and taken to the hospital for examination and treatment where it was revealed that she had multiple sexual intercourse.

In his defence, the convict told the court that it was an opportunity for him to find a girl who accepted him as a husband considering that he was a person with albinism. He said that such moments are very rare in his case.

Passing the sentence, First Grade Magistrate Cuthbert Phiri sentenced him to 14 years for having sexual intercourse with a minor and five years for abduction. Both counts are to run concurrently.