Thyolo First Grade Magistrate has slapped Philip Lipulo, 30, of Nansanya village Senior Chief Nchilamwera, to 14 years imprisonment with for defiling a minor.

On Friday, First Grade Magistrate, Kondani Chinangwa, stated in judgement that the state satisfied the court despite the defence trying to describe the survivor as a prostitute as evidence confirmed that the convict used force to sleep with the girl aged 15.

In mitigation, the state Prosecutor, Ishmael Abubast prayed for a stiffer punishment considering that such cases are on the rise in the country.

However, defence counsel, Derek Chiweza, said that he will appeal the judgement as the evidence from the hospital lacks tangibility on the ownership of semen which the clinician claimed to had been found in the girl's private parts.

Meanwhile, Girls Empowerment Network (GENET) which has been advocating for justice through its District Health Officer, Chifundo Likolome expressed satisfaction with the judgement saying this will act as a deterrent to the malpractice which has grown.