SENTENCED TO 14 YEARS IMPRISONMENT FOR DIFILEMENT
Written by Winkly Mwaulambo on June 1, 2022
Nkhata Bay First Grade Magistrate Court on 30th May sentenced a 68 year old Reuben Ander Chingoli to 14 years imprisonment with hard labour for defiling an 11 year old girl.
According to the State Prosecutor, Sub Inspector Chikondi Lipato the victim met her fate on 25 December last year when the convict gave the victim bread, margarine and 350 Kwacha and on 26 December the victim come again to ask for money to buy a pair of shoes where the convict gave her K2000.
Chingoli was apprehended by Chintheche police on 26 December and appeared before the first Grade Magistrate Ezekiel Kantikana where he pleaded guilty of the crime.
The prosecutor proposed for a stiffer punishment to the convict to serve as a warning to others saying this will help to combat defilement cases which are on the rise around Chintheche in the district
In mitigation the convict requested for leniency saying he has a child he is looking after.
Passing his judgment First Grade Magistrate Ezekiel Kantikana considered the mitigation factor that the accused is the first offender and he is 68 years of age. However considering that he was like a father and a child had much trust in him since she is a daughter to his brother. Therefore the court cannot be lenient to him. Nevertheless, Kantikana Continued saying what Chingoli did was against section 138 of the Penal Code and defilement is a felony
Chingoli hails from Mtepelera village Traditional Authority Malanda in Nkhata-Bay District.
By Ndagha Kayuni
