The Chikwawa First Grade Magistrate Court has convicted and sentenced Yohane Charles 20, to 13 years imprisonment with hard labor for defiling a minor.
According to Chancy Mfune Deputy Public Relations Officer for Chikwawa Police Station said that,”the court through state prosecutor Superintendent Ian Ntaba heard that Charles on the night of December 25, 2022 saw the victim with her friends coming from a Christmas celebrations. He started chasing them and managed to catch the victim and drugged her into the bush where he defiled her.”
“He went on and tell the court that the matter was reported to Makhuwira Police Unit where the victim was refered to Livunzu Health Centre where they confirmed the defilement,”said Mfune.
She further said that ,Charles pleaded not guilty to the charge leveled against him and this made the state to parade 6 witnesses who proved the case beyond reasonable doubts and he was found guilty
In mitigation, the convict pleaded for leniency saying that he has a family and children to look after.
However, in his submission, Superintendent Ntaba prayed for stiffer sentence arguing that the offence committed is serious.
Making the ruling, First Grade Magistrate Joram Zebron concurred with the state and sentenced him to 13 years imprisonment with hard labor.
Zebron added that the sentence should act as a lesson to other would offenders.
Yohane Charles hails from Thopholani village, Traditional Authority Makhuwira in Chikwawa district.