Nkhotakota First Grade Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday convicted and sentenced Chisomo Chase, 21, to 3 years imprisonment with hard labour for indecently assaulting an 11-year-old girl.

State prosecutor, Inspector Thokozani Juziwel told the court that on May 25, 2024, the victim (name withheld) and other three girls went to a sugarcane field.

Whilst there, the convict invited and coaxed the victim to have sex with him and promised to give her sugarcane in return.

“The girl denied but the convict forced her into the bush while the other girls were shouting for help,” he said.

Juziwel said some people nearby came to the victim’s rescue and managed to apprehend the convict after a long chase and brought him to Mkaika Police unit.

Appearing before the court, the convict pleaded not guilty to the charge of indecent assault prompting the state to parade two witnesses who secured his conviction.

In his submission, prosecutor Juziwel asked the court to give out stiff punishment to the offender despite not fulfilling his desire saying the offence committed was serious.

Passing sentence, Magistrate Felix Phaiya quashed the mitigation factors cited by the convict, saying that he is a young and first offender but concurred with the state’s submission.

He therefore, sentenced him to three years imprisonment with hard labour as a deterrent to other would-be offenders.

Chisomo Chase comes from Chinkhwangwa village, Traditional Authority Kanyenda in Nkhotakota district.