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The Senior Resident Magistrate’s Court in Mulanje has sentenced a 23-year-old man identified as Maxwell Kholiyo to 14 years imprisonment with hard labor for defiling a 10-year-old girl.
Police prosecutor, Kelvin Lichapa told the court that Kholiyo defiled the girl on Wednesday, June 16 2021 after enticing her with puffs.
Lichapa further told the court that when she came back, the girl looked very dirty to the surprise of her mother.
Following a complaint, police arrested Kholiyo on Thursday, June 17, 2021 and charged him with defilement contrary to Section 138 of the Penal code.
But when he appeared before magistrate Shahida Hannif Bakili, Kholiyo pleaded not guilty forcing the state to parade witnesses.
Making submissions, Lichapa prayed for a stiff sentence saying the convict took advantage of the victim’s vulnerability.
He added that cases of this nature are rampant in the district hence the need for stiff sentences.
In mitigation, the convict asked for leniency citing huge family responsibility.
But in her determination, magistrate Bakili agreed with the state for a stiff penalty. She therefore sentenced Kholiyo to 14 years imprisonment with hard labor to deter other would-be-offenders.
The convict comes from Tambala village, in the area of Senior Chief Chikumbu in Mulanje District.
