Harry Msiska pleaded guilty to a charge of defilement contrary to Section 138 of the Penal Code on Monday, May 11 2020 before Rumphi First Grade Magistrate after the state paraded three witnesses.

Rumphi Police Station state prosecutor Sub Inspector Peter Fuluweza told the court that Msiska defiled the girl on February 21 2020 at Jalawe Trading Centre in the area of Traditional Authority Njikula in the district.

Report indicates that, in the evening of the material day, the victim went to Msiska’s shop to charge a cell phone of her aunt.

Whilst in the shop, Msiska proposed the victim but she declined.

Unsatisfied with her response, he closed the door and forced himself onto her and was told to spend a night together since it was late night.

Relatives started searching for her after they noticed that it was night and she had not returned home.

The relatives went to Msiska’s shop where they found the victim and upon being questioned, she narrated the ordeal which led to his arrest.

Appearing before court, the convict was found guilty after the state paraded three witnesses.

In his submission, Sub Inspector Peter Fuluweza pleaded with the court for a stiffer Sentence, saying the girl was traumatized and that such offences are on the rise in the district.

In mitigation, Msiska asked court for leniency, saying he is a breadwinner and first offender.

However, First Grade Magistrate Radson Gamariel concurred with the state’s submissions and ordered the convict to serve 12 years Imprisonment with hard labour, saying the sentence should serve as a lesson to him and to other would be offenders.

Harry Msiska comes from Mponela Village in the area of Traditional Authority Wasambo in Karonga District.