The Chiradzulu First Grade Magistrate’s Court has convicted and sentenced a 40 year-old stepfather, Seilaih Mpeketula, to seven years imprisonment with hard labour for defiling his 12 year-old stepdaughter.
The court heard through state prosecutor, Inspector Spenard Chankoma that on April 4, 2021 at a certain village in Chiradzulu, Mpeketula had unlawful carnal knowledge of the victim.
His friend who went to visit him and caught him in the act. He reported the matter to Police where the girl was issued with a medical report form for medical examination and treatment.
The accused was later arrested and charged with defilement.
Appearing before court, Mpeketula pleaded not guilty which made the state to parade five witnesses who testified before the court beyond reasonable doubt.
The suspect pleaded with the court in order to give him leniency sentence, saying he is the first offender and has a family to take care.
Chankoma submitted that although the accused person is a first offender, the offence he committed is serious that attracts a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Chankoma further told the court that, as an elder person the accused person has a responsibility of protecting such young girls from any form of abuse and not abusing them sexually.
He also added that, cases of defilement are on the increase in the district, hence a stiff sentence would be better to deter would-be offenders.
In mitigation, Mpeketula asked for the court’s leniency when passing a sentence to him, saying he has a big family responsibility.
Passing sentence, First Grade Magistrate Lameck Mkwapatira concurred with the state about the seriousness of the offence.
Mkwapatira quashed the mitigating factor of family responsibility. He said the accused person would have refrained from committing the offence.
He therefore, sentenced Mpeketula to seven years imprisonment with hard labour.
Mpeketula hails from Robert Village, Traditional Authority Mpunga in Chiradzulu district.
