The Mulanje Senior Resident Magistrate’s Court on (date) convicted and sentenced a 28-year- old man, Davie Laston, to 7-years imprisonment with hard labor for attempted defilement.

The court through state prosecutor Sergeant Maggie Banda heard that, Laston on March 1, 2023 while drunk went to the victim’s house at Sugar Village when the victim’s mother was away where he attempted to defile her.

The victim shouted for help and well wishers rushed to the scene and apprehended the suspect and brought him to Chikuli Police Unit.

Appearing in court, he pleaded not guilty to the charge prompting the state to parade 4 witnesses who testified beyond all reasonable doubt.

In mitigation, the convict asked for court’s leniency, saying he is a breadwinner to his family.

However, prosecutor Sergeant Maggie Banda prayed for a stiffer sentence, stating that the offence committed is serious in nature.

Passing sentence, Senior Resident Magistrate Shaheeda Hanif Bakili concurred with the state hence slapped him to 7-years imprisonment with hard labor to deter other would-be offenders.

Laston hails from Sugar Village in the area of Traditional Authority Nthiramanja in Mulanje District.