The Balaka Senior Resident Magistrate’s Court has convicted and sentenced a 68-year-old man, James Thom, to 21 years imprisonment with hard labour for having sexual intercourse with a minor.

The court through state prosecutor Superintendent Bodwin Msukwa heard that the convict committed the offence on November 30, 2024 at Zalimu Village in Balaka District where he had sexual intercourse with her 12-year-old step-daughter.

The court further learnt that while asleep in the bedroom, the accused person who is step-father forced himself on the girl.

Appearing before court, the accused pleaded guilty to a charge of having sexual intercourse with a minor contrary to Section 138 of the Penal Code after facts narrated by the state.

Passing sentence, Senior Resident Magistrate Joshua Nkhono agreed with the state’s submission and sentenced the convict to 21 years imprisonment with hard labour as a deterrent to other would-be offenders.

James Thom comes from Zalimu Village in Traditional Authority Nkaya in Balaka District.