Mangochi Senior Resident Magistrate Court convicted and sentenced Amini Mussah to 21 years imprisonment with hard labour for defiling his 14-year-old stepdaughter, contrary to section 138 of the penal code.
Prosecutor Inspector Amos told the Court that in May 2021, the mother of the victim put to bed and connived with the accused to be sleeping with the victim as a charm to secure her marriage with the accused.
In the process, the parents also put the victim on a 5-year contraceptive process(nor plant) and ever since, the convict had been having unprotected sex with the victim.
On 2 November, 2021, after being tired of the malpractice, the girl gathered courage and narrated the ordeal to the Chairperson of Good Hope Youth Club who reported the matter at Mangochi Police Station where she was issued with a referral letter to the hospital. The results from Mangochi District Hospital confirmed that the victim was defiled.
Appearing in court, the accused pleaded not guilty to the charge prompting the state to parade four witnesses who testified against him.
In mitigation, Mussah asked for the court’s leniency, saying that he is a breadwinner to his families who would suffer if sent to prison but prosecutor Mwase prayed for a custodial sentence, justifying that such cases are on the increase in the district which has put the life of a girl child at risk.
The prosecutor further said that, as a parent, the convict was supposed to protect and not exploiting the young girl.
Passing judgement, Senior Resident Magistrate Rodrick Michongwe concurred with the state and finally slapped him with a 21-year jail term to deter other would be offenders.
Additionally, Michongwe requested the Police to arrest the mother and bring her to his court to be prosecuted for permitting defilement on her daughters.
Convict hails from Fowo village, Traditional Authority Namabvi in Mangochi.