State prosecutor from Mangochi police, lnspector Amos Mwase, told the court that, now convict, Muhammad Jussab, during the month of May, 2021, defiled the girl several times at his house.

He said Jussab found the victim stranded at Lilongwe bus depot and acted as a good Samaritan by offering transport money as both were heading the Mangochi route.

“The accused person promised to shoulder the victim's expenses and escort her to her relatives at Ulongwe, but instead, he proceeded with the minor to his house withing Mangochi town where he defiled her several times,” explained lnspector Amos Mwase.

He added: “Jussab, also forced the minor to go begging around Mangochi town in order to raise money for his business, but in the process met a good Samaritan who was willing to help and send her back to school.”

The prosecutor said the victim took this as an opportunity and narrated the issue to the good Samaritan who brought her to Mangochi Police Station after hearing her story.

The police referred her to Mangochi district hospital where they confirmed that she was defiled.

Appearing in court, the accused person pleaded not guilty to the charge and the state paraded four witnesses who proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.

In mitigation, Jussab asked for the court's leniency saying he acted out of goodwill and has been taking good care of the victim, a plea the state quashed arguing such cases are on the increase despite government and stakeholders relentlessly working towards protecting and uplifting rights of the girl child.

Passing judgement, Senior Resident Magistrate Rodrick Michongwe concurred with the state hence the sentence to serve as a lesson to him and other would-be offenders.

Jussab hails from Thakiwa village, Traditional Authority Njema in Mulanje district.