Man earns 12 Years for having Sexual Intercourse with a Girl in Rumphi

The First Grade Magistrate sitting at Rumphi has on November 14, 2023 convicted and sentenced a 45 year old man, Edward Banda to 12 and half years imprisonment with hard labour upon being found guilty of having sexual intercourse with a 10 year old girl in the district.

The court heard through the prosecutor, Sub Inspector Josophine Chikaonda that the incident happened on July 29, 2023 when the victim was on her way going to invite her friend to eat Nsima.

The court further heard that the convict took hold of the victims hand and dragged her into his house. He then closed the victim’s mouth, undressed her and defiled her using a condom.

The court also learned through the prosecutor Josophine Chikaonda that the wife of the convict found them in the act and upon seeing the wife he gave the victim 100 Kwacha and locked her in the bedroom. He left with the wife and came back a few minutes later. He threatened the victim that he would kill her if she revealed the ordeal and later released her.

However, the wife of the convict reported the matter to the mother of the victim.

The matter was then reported to Rumphi Police Station and upon investigations the suspect was arrested on July 31, 2023.

Appearing before the Rumphi First Grade Magistrate, his worship Cuthbert Phiri, the convict pleaded not guilty to the charge and this prompted the state to parade four witnesses who testified against the convict and proved the case beyond reasonable doubts.

In mitigation, the convict pleaded for the court’s leniency when passing the sentence stating that he is the first offender and a bread winner in his family.

However, the state prosecutor Josophine Chikaonda played for a stiffer punishment stating that the offence attracts a punishment of life imprisonment and that the act of the convict has left a memorable trauma to the victim.

Passing the sentence, the First Grade Magistrate, his worship Cuthbert concurred with the state prosecutor Josophine Chikaonda, convicted and sentenced him to 12½ years imprisonment with hard labour.

Edward Banda hails from Mambulu village in the area of Traditional Authority Mabuka in Mulanje district.