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The Ntchisi First Grade Magistrate’s Court has convicted and sentenced 53-year-old Mackson Henry Khwela to five years in prison with hard labour for defiling a 20-year-old girl who has a mental illness.
The court heard that on July 15 this year, the victim went to the work place of the convict to collect empty plastic bottles.
Upon arrival, the victim found the convict, who is a security guard, and upon giving her ten empty plastic bottles, he dragged her to a kitchen and defiled her.
The convict is said to have told the court victim not to reveal to anyone because he will lose his job and further advised the victim to come again the following day to collect more empty plastic bottles.
Because of pain in her genitals due to the sexual assault, the girl had difficulties in walking and she did not go again to collect the bottles but reported the matter to her mother who in turn reported to police.
Appearing before court on Tuesday, the convict pleaded guilty to the charge of defilement after police paraded its witnesses.
First Grade Magistrate Dorothy Kalua said the offence is serious in nature hence the offender deserved a stiff sentence to warn would-be offenders, taking into account that the victim is also an imbecile.
She then sentenced him to five years in prison with hard labour.
Khwela comes from Chikhwakhwa village in the area of Traditional Authority Kalumo in Ntchisi.
