Man sentenced for defiling mentally challenged girl in Phalombe

Phalombe First Grade Magistrate Court has convicted and sentenced a 69 year old man, Amon Symon also known as Henderson Helema from Komihera Village, Traditional Authority Jenala in Phalombe district to 14 years imprisonment with hard labour for having sexual intercourse with a mentally challenged girl.

The Court heard through state prosecutor, Lawrence Kambale that on January 2, 2024, around 17:00 hours, the victim, (name withheld) who is mentally challenged returned home with wet clothes.

“When asked what happened to her clothes, she narrated to her mother that the convict took her to a bathroom and had sexual intercourse with her and after the act she washed herself, hence, her clothes got wet,” he said.

He added that on January 4, 2024, the matter was reported at Chitekesa Police Unit where the victim was issued with a medical report where results after examination were positive.

Appearing before First Grade Magistrate, Leonard Mtosa, the convict pleaded not guilty to the charge leveled against him and this prompted the state to parade two witnesses that proved beyond reasonable doubt that Symon indeed did the act.

In mitigation, the convict pleaded for leniency claiming that he had responsibilities and he was old.

In submission, Kambale prayed for stiffer punishment saying the girl was mentally challenged and the act left her an emotional scar.

Passing the sentence, Mtosa found him guilty and sentenced him to 14 years imprisonment with hard labour.

By Linda Likomwa