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The Chiradzulu Magistrate's Court has sentenced a 25-year-old man, Ganizani Gulula Mwikho, to 6 years imprisonment with hard labour (IHL) for indecent assault contrary to section 137(1) of the Penal code.
During court proceedings, Namadzi Police Post Prosector Sergeant Anderson Dondwe told the court that Mwikho committed the offence on December 29, 2021 at Balakasi village in the area of Traditional Authority Ntchema in the district.
He further told the court that the suspect enticed the victim with money amounting to K170 before dragging her behind a mosque where she undressed the girl for the act but failed since the girl was too young for the act.
The police prosecutor further said that the girl was detected by her mother after noticing some strange things from her.
She then later reported to police where Mwikho was arrested and taken to Police where indecent assault case was filed against him.
Appearing in court, Manase pleaded guilty to the charge and went on to claim that he did not ejaculate since he failed to penetrate into the girl.
In mitigation, Mwikho asked for the court's leniency, saying he is the first offender and he has the family to take care of and asked for forgiveness.
However, the state quashed his plea, arguing such cases are on the increase despite government commitment to protecting the girl child.
When passing sentence, First Grade Magistrate Kondwani Chinangwa concurred with the state and finally sentenced him to 6 years imprisonment with hard labour arguing that this will serve as a lesson to him and other would-be offenders.
Mwikho hails from Chotokwa Village, in the area of Traditional Authority Ntchema in Chiradzulu District.