Mangochi Senior Resident Magistrate Court on Wednesday, July 28, 2021 convicted and sentenced Francis Lupia, 47, to 21-years imprisonment with hard labour for defiling his 14-year-old stepdaughter, contrary to section 138 of the penal code.
The court through state Prosecutor Inspector Amos Mwase heard that the accused is a step-father of the victim and in the month of April 2021, the accused summoned the victim to his bedroom taking advantage that the mother had gone to fetch for some water.
The accused told the girl that he had agreed with the mother that she should bear him a child since her mother is sterilized, the victim rebuffed his advances, but the accused dragged and forced himself on the poor girl.
The Prosecutor added that the practice became a habit despite the victim confiding in her mother about the ordeal but nothing materialized.
On July 8, 2021 after being victimized for so long, the girl gathered courage and narrated the ordeal to Group Village Headman Ching’anda who reported the matter at Makanjira Police Post where she was issued a medical report and the results from Makanjira Health Centre 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, Lupia asked for the court’s leniency, saying that he is a first offender and apologized but Prosecutor Mwase prayed for a stiffer sentence, saying such cases are on the increase in the district which has put the life of a girl child at risk.
The Prosecutor said furthermore, as a parent, the convict was supposed to protect the girl as a daughter instead of exploiting her.
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.
Lupia hails from Senzani Village, in the area of Traditional Authority Phambala in Ntcheu.
Sub Inspector Amina Tepani Daudi
PRO-Mangochi Police Station
Cell:0999-706-525
Email:mamateps1152@gmail.com