Mangochi Senior Resident Magistrate’s Court sitting at Ngapani on Tuesday, November 23, 2021 convicted and sentenced Dickson Dinnes, 48, to 21-years imprisonment with hard labour for defiling and impregnating his 15 year-old stepdaughter.
The court through state prosecutor, lnspector Amos Mwase heard that, the convict who is a herbalist and step-father to the victim found her as the fourth child from the previous relationship when he married her mother in 2014.
In June 2021, the convict forced himself on the victim when his wife went out for prayers. He threatened that she’ll die a mysterious death if she dared revealing the ordeal.
Mwase added that the act became a habit of the accused person until the victim confided in her neighbour after discovering that she was pregnant.
Despite the victim warning the neighbour not to reveal the ordeal to her mother, the neighbour alerted her mother who reported the issue at Ngapani Police Unit where she was issued with a referral letter and the results from Ngapani Health Centre confirmed about the pregnancy.
In mitigation, Dinnes asked for the court’s leniency, saying he is a breadwinner for his family but Prosecutor Mwase prayed for a stiffer sentence citing that as a parent, the accused person was supposed to protect the girl as a daughter instead of exploiting her.
Furthermore, the accused person inflicted a serious invasion to the victim and the pregnancy has compromised her education.
Passing judgement where the offence was committed through a mobile court session, Senior Resident Magistrate Rodrick Michongwe concurred with the state, hence the 21-year sentence to serve as a lesson to other would be offenders.
Dickson Dinnes hails from Mazeze Village, Traditional Authority Nankumba in Mangochi.
Sub Inspector Amina Tepani Daudi
PRO-Mangochi Police Station
Cell:0999-706-525
Email:mamateps1152@gmail.com