In Chikwawa, a 54-year-old man, Richard Betason, has been sentenced to 14 years imprisonment with hard labor for defiling a 13-year-old girl.

According to Dickson Matemba, the district’s Police Spokesperson, the court heard that the convict was caught red-handed on 4th October, 2024 at Tomali village in the district.

He said appearing before the court, Betason pleaded not guilty, prompting the state to parade five witnesses, including a medical report which was issued on the day that the victim undergone a medical test.

“In his submission, state prosecutor Henley Walusa prayed for a stiffer sentence to the convict saying the offence is serious in nature and attracts life imprisonment,” Matemba said.

Passing his sentence, First Grade Magistrate John Nsomba concurred with the State, hence slapped the convict with the jail-term, to deter other would be offenders.