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A magistrate court in Mponela, Dowa yesterday sent to jail a 51-year-old village headman for 14 years for allegedly defiling a 16-year-old girl.
State prosecutor Assistant Superintendent Gradys Jentala told the court that in March last year the victim went to pluck pumpkin leaves and while there the village headman defiled the girl and threatened to kill her if she reported the matter.
The village headman pleaded not guilty which prompted the state to parade four witnesses.
First Grade Magistrate Anthony Banda hopes the 14 year jail term is stiff enough to deter other would-be offenders.
The village headman hails from Pemba village in the area of Traditional Authority Msakambewa in the district.
