A 54 year old man has been sentence to 15 years imprisonment with hard labour for defiling and impregnating his 15 year old stepdaughter.

Senior resident magistrate Munthali presided over the case where Amos Thom pleaded guilty.

State prosecutor assistance superintendent Gladys Jentala said earlier this year a mother to the victim noticed some pregnancy signs on her daughter.

When the matter was reported to Ntcheu police, the victim was referred to Ntcheu district Hospital for examination where the examination revealed that she was six weeks pregnant.

The girl revealed that her step-father has been sexually abusing her.

Thom asked court to be lenient with him as he is the bread winner of his family but the state prayed for a stiff punishment arguing that the trauma caused by the suspect will haunt the victim for the rest of her life.