By Chancy Banda

The Kasungu Senior Resident Magistrate’s Court on Monday July 25, 2022 convicted and sentenced a 31-year-old man, Hamman lsaac Lemon, to 21 years imprisonment with hard labour for defiling and impregnating his 15-year- old step-daughter.

The court through state prosecutor Sub Inspector Dalitso Ng’oma, heard that the convict between the month of July and October 2021, has been defilling the victim when her mother was away.

The court further learnt that it was in August last year when the victim fall very sick and she was taken to a traditional healer where it was revealed that she was pregnant and she revealed that her step- father was responsible for the pregnant.

The victim then reported the matter to his biological father who letter reported the matter to Kasungu Police Station who issued the victim with a referral letter and results from Kasungu District Hospital proved that the victim was four months pregnant.

Appearing in court, the convict pleaded not guilty to the charge of defilement. This prompted the state to parade five witnesses to prove the case.

In mitigation, the convict pleaded for leniency, saying he is takes care of his aged uncle.

In his submission, the state prayed for a stiffer punishment, saying that being the father, it was his responsibility to take good care of the victim, but instead he deliberately defiled the girl and also gave the victim a life time trauma.

Passing sentence, Senior Resident Magistrate Biar Kamanga concurred with the state’s submission hence sentenced him to 21 years jail term to deter would-be offenders.

Hammman Isaac Lemon comes from Kanyindula Village in Traditional Authority Authority Kapelula in Kasungu District.

In a related development, the same court has convicted and sentenced a 61-year-old man, Chuma Samuel from Nkhota Village in Traditional Authority Santhe in Kasungu to 16 years imprisonment with hard labour for defiling and a 9-year-old girl.

The court through state prosecutor Sub Inspector Martha Mwenechanya heard that the convict committed the offence on July 21 2022 when the victim was playing with her friends within Nkhota Trading Centre and enticed her with a K100 bank note .

The issue came to light when the victim’s friends reported the issue to the victim’s mother.