Rise in defilement cases by youths worry court

First grade magistrate Billy Ngosi of Nkhata Bay Magistrate’s Court has expressed  worry over  the rise in defilement cases, saying most of them are  committed by youths.

Ngosi made the remarks on Tuesday when he sentenced 22-year-old Patrick Kamwanja to 12 years imprisonment for defilement.

“Since January, the court has registered 14 cases of defilement which is a worrisome development. I, therefore, sentence Kamwanja to serve 12 years imprisonment with hard labour to serve as a lesson to him and other would be offenders,” he said.

According to Nkhata Bay police spokesperson Ignatius Esau, the court through police prosecutor Evance Kamtukule, heard that on April 23 2016 the victim, 13, was at her brother’s house when she received a message that she was wanted by the suspect at his house.

“When the victim went there, the suspect took her to his bedroom where he defiled her,” he said.

The State further told the court the matter was reported to police who referred the victim to St Peter’s Mission Hospital where an examination showed that she had been defiled.

In court, Kamwanja pleaded not guilty to the charge of defilement .The State paraded four witness before he was found guilty on April 26 2016.

In mitigation, Kamwanja pleaded for leniency, saying he was young and a first offender.

He also told the court that his family would suffer if he is sent to prison because he is the bread-winner.

In his submission, Kamtukule asked for a stiff punishment for Kamwanja.

The convict and the victim come from Kachele Village, Traditional Authority (T/A) Mkumpha in Likoma.