A court in Mangochi has sentenced a 30-year-old man to 18 years imprisonment with hard labor for defiling his 15-year-old sister in-law.

The court heard that King Mussa forced himself on the girl when his wife was away from home.

Appearing in court, Mussa pleaded not guilty to the charge leveled against him.

The state then paraded three witnesses who proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.

In mitigation, Mussa asked for leniency stating that he is a bread winner for his family but the state quashed his plea arguing such cases are on the increase despite government and stakeholders relentlessly working towards uplifting rights of the girl child.

When passing judgement, Senior Resident Magistrate Joshua Nkhono concurred with the state and passed the sentence as a lesson to him and other would-be offenders.

Mussa hails from  Malenga Village, Traditional Authority Chilipa in Mangochi.