By Chisomo Phiri
The Senior Resident Magistrate’s Court in Nkhata-Bay has on Thursday sentenced a 32-year-old Aaron Mphande from Traditional Authority(T/A) Kabunduli in the district to 21 years imprisonment with hard labour for defiling an 18-year-old mentally challenged girl.
State prosecutor Sub Inspector Andrew Singini told the court that Mphande committed the crime on 5th October, 2023 and was arrested by Mzenga Police Unit and charged with the offence.
During his first appearance in court, the suspect denied the charge prompting the state to parade four witness who proved him guilty in which Singini said the crime was a felony attracting life imprisonment.
Singini further told the court that the convict was supposed to protect the victim knowing her status hence he prayed for a maximum sentence while Mphande pleaded for leniency arguing he takes care of his sick mother.
Passing sentence, Senior Resident Magistrate Mateo Chitha concurred with the state’s submission, and ordered Mphande to serve a 21 year jail term effective from the date of his arrest.
