The Lilongwe First Grade Magistrate court has on November 5, 2021 convicted and sentenced 20 year old Emmanuel Pilirani to four years imprisonment with hard labour for defilement which is contrary to section 138(1) of the penal code.
The court heard through Police prosecutor Sergeant Elizabeth Munkhondia that on April 5, 2021, Pilirani defiled the victim, who is 14 years old whilst keeping her in his house for three days.
During court proceedings, Pilirani denied the charge of defilement which was leveled against him, prompting the state to parade four witnesses who proved beyond reasonable doubt.
In submission, the state pleaded with the court to give the convict a stiffer punishment saying that cases of defilement are increasing by each passing day and that a girl child is facing more problems due to such malpractice. He said giving the convict a stiffer punishment will deter other would be offenders.
In mitigation, Pilirani apologized to the court about his behaviour. He told the court that he was not aware that dating a girl who is below the age of 18 years is a crime.
Passing sentence, First Grade Magistrate Chakaka Nyirenda concurred with the state about the increase of defilement cases.
However, he said that the convict was a minor too the time he committed the crime and that they were in love relationship. Nyirenda also said that the convict has overstayed on remand, hence slapped him with four years imprisonment with hard labour.
I
Emmanuel Pilirani hails from Kapita village in Traditional Authority Njewa in Lilongwe.
