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73-Year-Old Man Jailed for Defilement

73-Year-Old Man Jailed for Defilement

Mangochi Senior Resident Magistrate's Court on Monday, June 7, 2021, convicted and sentenced Patrick Bannet, 73, to 12 years imprisonment with hard labour for defiling a 13-year-old girl.

State prosecutor, Police Sub Inspector Maston Chitsonga, told the court that both the victim and accused stayed in the same compound and on the night of April 17, 2021, the victim went out to urinate before going to bed.

However, Chitsonga said in the process, Bannet emerged from his house and found the girl under the tree passing urine, grabbed and forced the little girl down and defiled her.

“He used his hands to cover her mouth so that she could not scream, and also threatened to deal with her if she would reveal it to anyone,” explained Chitsonga in court.

But according to Chitsonga, the victim's brother, who is her guardian too, was suspicious since the girl took longer than expected.

“After quizzing her, she narrated the ordeal to him and he reported the matter at Mangochi Police Station where a medical report form was issued and the results from Mangochi District Hospital confirmed that penetration took place,” explained Sub Inspector Chitsonga.

Appearing in court, the accused person pleaded guilty to the charge and in mitigation, asked for the court's leniency, saying he is too old to go to prison.

But state quashed his plea, arguing such cases are on the increase despite government and stakeholders relentlessly working towards uplifting rights of the girl child.

Passing his judgement, Senior Resident Magistrate Joshua Nkhono, concurred with the state and sentenced him to 12-years imprisonment with hard labour to serve as a lesson to him and other would-be offenders.

Bannet hails from Ndindi Village, in the area of Traditional Authority Kachindamoto in Dedza district.

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