Senior resident magistrate court sitting in mangochi has convicted and sentenced James Gofati to 6 years imprisonment with hard labour for defiling under the age of 16 girl who is an orphan.
According to Mangochi police public relations officer Rodrick Maida, court heard through state prosecutor assistant superintendent Efford Kamphonje that convict in June 2019 proposed a 14 year old girl in which he has been enticing with cash in order to carnally know her several times taking advantage of her orphanhood.
“The friendship came to the knowledg of her elder brother who is her bread winner and he reported the matter to Chimwala police unit that led to his arrest,” says Maida.
Appearing before court, the convict pleaded not guilty to the charges leveled against him which prompted the state to parade four witnesses who testify against him then court found him guilty.
In mitigation convict asked court for leniency saying he committed the crime out of ignorance.
In submission state prayed for stiff penalty citing the offence is rampant in the district.
In his judgement senior resident magistrate Joshua Nkhono concurred with the state hence he was slapped with 6 years imprisonment with hard labour as a deterrent.
James (25) hails from Ntiule village, Traditional Authority Chimwala in mangochi district.
