The High Court doubled the sentence of a man who defiled his 5-year-old daughter: from 21 to 40 years – Malawi Nyasa Times

The Malawi High Court in Blantyre today almost doubled the sentence of a man found guilty of defiling his five-year-old biological daughter.

The man, whose name has been withheld to protect the identity of the minor, was initially sentenced to 21 years in prison with hard labour, but Judge Chiwemwe Kamowa increased his sentence to 40 years after finding the lower court’s sentence was not harsh enough to be a deterrent.

Earlier today, Senior State Counsel at the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, Abdul Limbe, pleaded on behalf of the State for harsher punishment for the convict, who is represented by the Legal Aid Bureau.

Judge Kamova expressed concern about the nature of the crime, noting that it was a betrayal of trust and had caused psychological trauma to the victim.

“A father should be a guardian, protector and source of security for his children. The offender’s actions have undermined that trust and caused psychological trauma to his daughter. The court must send a strong warning to potential offenders. This crime will not be tolerated,” the judge warned.

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