The Zomba Senior Resident Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday convicted and sentenced Grey Mcford, 32, to 28 years in jail for defiling two girls (names withheld).
Confirming the development, Zomba Police spokesperson Patricia Sipiliano said Mcford, a herbalist, sent the girls aged between 10 and 12 to fetch water for him on June 11, paying them K50 for the service.
Sipiliano said the next day, the convict invited the girls and tricked them that he should draw “tattoos of fortune” on their foreheads which will attract money for them.
“The girls agreed to have the tattoos drawn on their foreheads. However, Mcford demanded that they undress, threatening them that they would die if they disobeyed his instructions from the spirits,” he said.
The herbalist then defiled the girls, after which one escaped and reported the matter to her parents who in turn reported to police.
The suspect was arrested by police who referred the victims to Zomba Central Hospital for a medical examination.
Appearing in court, the accused pleaded guilty to the charge of defilement but asked for leniency, saying he is sick and a breadwinner.
However, passing judgement, senior resident magistrate Wyson Nkhata trashed his plea, saying the girls have been traumatised for life, and this could affect both their physical and psychological well-being. He then slapped Mcford with a 28-year jail sentence as a lesson to would-be offenders.
Mcford comes from Ganeti Village, Traditional Authority Kaduya in Phalombe District. n
