By JULIUS PHIRI –
A THIRTY–SEVEN-YEAR-OLD  man of Katete District has been sentenced to 16 years imprisonment with hard labour for defiling his sister-in-law.
Before Chipata High Court Judge Anne Sitali was Paul Mbewe who was convicted for defilement.
Particulars of the offence were that on July,17 last year Mbewe allegedly defiled his sister-in-law and was apprehended the following day.
In mitigation, Legal Aid Board Counsel, Mauyaneyi Merebesa said the convict was the first offender and pleaded with the court to exercise maximum leniency as he was still youthful and ready to reform.
But when passing judgment, Ms Justice Sitali said the convict had betrayed the trust of his sister-in-law by defiling her.
“I understand that the person you defiled is your sister-inlaw and I know you betrayed the trust of the child,” she said.
She however, sentenced him to 16 years imprisonment with hard labour with effect from the date he was first arrested.
Ms Justice Sitali also sentenced James Banda of Chipata and Bizeck Njobvu of Petauke to 15 years imprisonment each with hard labour for committing similar offences last year.
She also slapped Levison Phiri with five years imprisonment with hard labour for unlawful possession of prescribed trophy contrary to section 91 and 136(2)(a) of ZAWA Act number 12 of 1998.
The convict was committed to the High Court for sentencing by the subordinate court of the first class for Chipata District.