The Mchinji Senior Resident Magistrate’s Court has convicted and sentenced a 19-year -old man, Felix Cosmas to serve a total of 19 years in prison for defiling two girls in Kathobwa Village, Traditional Authority Dambe in the district.
The State prosecutor Misheck Kalawa told the court on Wednesday, that Felix Cosmus, was arrested by police on December 1, 2024 after it was reported that during the month of October 2024, he slept with the two minors, who are sisters, aged between 10 and 8, while in Gule Wamkulu traditional regalia.
Appearing before court, Cosmas pleaded not guilty to the charge compelling the State to parade five witnesses who proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.
The State prayed for a stiffer custodial sentence stressing that the children went through a traumatic ordeal, and that a tougher sentence would act as a deterrent to other would be offenders.
In mitigation, Cosmas pleaded for leniency arguing that he is a first offender.
However, the court agreed with the State’s submissions and the senior resident magistrate Sarah Mwangonde went on to sentence Cosmas to 19 years on the first count, and another 19 years on the second count, both sentences to run concurrently.
Cosmas hails from Waliranji, Traditional Authority Mavwere in Mchinji.
