by Greshum Chikoti
Monkey-Bay Senior Resident Magistrate Court sitting as Child Justice Court on Tuesday, October 13, 2020 convicted and sentenced Paul Wandala, 34, to 18 years imprisonment with hard labour for defiling a 1-year and 11 months old girl.
During court proceedings, Monkey-Bay Police Station Prosecution In-Charge Sub Inspector Elias Chitsulo told the court that, on October 5, 2020 Wandala took the victim from the hands of her 4-year-old friend as they were playing nearby his house.
The child was taken into his house where he defiled her before he was caught red handed in the house by the 4-year old girl who had followed up the whereabouts of her friend.
The 4-year old eye witness rushed and reported what she saw to the victim’s mother.
The mother followed the matter and was shocked to find her child with the accused while undressed and bleeding from her private part.
The matter was reported at Monkey-Bay Police Station where medical report form was issued and the results from Monkey-Bay Health Centre confirmed defilement.
Appearing in court, the accused person pleaded not guilty and the state paraded four witnesses who proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.
In mitigation, Wandala asked for court’s leniency saying that he is a breadwinner and disabled but the state quashed his appeal, saying Wandala was heartless for violating such an innocent soul.
Senior Resident Magistrate Joshua Nkhono concurred with the state and passed the 18-year prison sentence to serve as a lesson to him and other would-be offenders.
Paul Wandala hails from Balamanja Village, Traditional Authority Nankumba in Mangochi.
Sub lnspector Amina Tepani Daudi
Deputy PRO-Mangochi Police Station
Cell:0999 706 525
Email:mamateps1152@gmail.com
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