The Mangochi First Grade Magistrate has sentenced Laybu Asimu, to 14 years imprisonment with hard labour for defiling and impregnating his 14-year-old stepdaughter.
During court proceedings, Mangochi Police Prosecution Officer Assistant Superintendent Davie Banda told the court that the 28 year old Asimu started persuading to sleep with the victim in May 2020.
Despite rejecting his advances three times, the victim also reminded him that she is his daughter.
During one night in the same month, the convict sneaked into the victim’s room and found her fast asleep.
He undressed the poor girl, covered her mouth and threatened to stab her and her mother with the knife which he carried while defiling her.
Prosecutor Banda added that, this became a tendency and the girl was defiled six times. In the month of February 2021, the victim’s mother was suspicious after she noticed changes on her appearance.
After being seriously quizzed she narrated the ordeal and also revealed to be pregnant for the stepfather.
The matter was reported at Chilipa Police Unit where she was issued a medical form and the results from Chilipa Health Centre confirmed about the pregnancy.
Appearing in court ,the accused pleaded not guilty to the charge and the state paraded five witnesses who proved the case beyond all reasonable doubt.
In mitigation Asimu asked for court’s leniency saying that he is a breadwinner in his family but Prosecutor Banda prayed for a stiffer sentence saying such cases are on the increase in the district which put girls’ lives under threat. Furthermore, as a parent, the convict was supposed to protect her and not the other way round.
Passing judgement First grade Magistrate Roy Kakutu found him guilty and handed him a 14 year jail sentence to deter other would be offenders.
Laybu Asimu hails from Songa 1 village Sub Traditional Authority Ntonda in Mangochi.
