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The Senior Resident Magistrate court in Mchinji has on April 29, 2021, sentenced Innocent Ignacio Senzo, 40, to 21 years Imprisonment with Hard Labour (IHL) for defilement, contrary to section 138(1) of the Penal code.
The Central West Region PRO Inspector, Alfred Chimthere said the Court heard through Police prosecutor Sub-inspector Eugenio Yotamu that in November 2020, Senzo defiled a one year-old neighbour’s daughter.
Yotamu submitted that the accused person, sexually abused the little girl persistently. It happened as the mother of the girl entrusted him in taking care of the kid whilst she went for prayers at Bunda Mountain in Lilongwe.
Chimthere said Senzo pleaded not guilty to the offence. However, the state adduced overwhelming evidence to pin him down.
The prosecutor also asked for a stiffer sentence to deter other would-be offenders.
In mitigation, Senzo prayed for the Court’s leniency, citing his age and that he is a first offender.
Passing judgment, Senior Resident Magistrate Eliya Zawanda concurred with the state that cases of sexual abuse, especially defilement, require stern punishment, hence slapped the accused person to 21 years IHL.
Innocent Senzo hails from Masautso village in Traditional Authority (TA) Zulu in Mchinji district.
