Stepdad jailed 22 years for defilement

A 42-YEAR-OLD man of Luano has been sentenced to 22 years behind bars with hard labour for allegedly defiling his 15-year-old step daughter.

Facts before the Kabwe High Court are that on May 13 2018, Simon Munkombwe defiled his step daughter contrary to section 138 cap 87 of the laws of Zambia.

Judge Kelvin Limbani his judgment said Munkombwe denied the charge when he took plea but after sufficient evidence, the court proved beyond doubt that he committed the offence.

The state asked the court for maximum lenience as the convict was the first offender and was deeply remorseful for the crime committed.

And in his judgment Judge Limbani said the convict took advantage of the absence of his wife to defile his step daughter.

The judge said one would wonder what enjoyment the convict would get from a child which he could not get from his wife.

“You took advantage of the absence of your wife, grabbed your step daughter, threw her on your bed and defiled her. One would wonder what enjoyment you would get from a child which you could not get from your wife,” said Judge Limbani.

He said behaviour of the convict called for stiffer punishment to keep people like him away from society to protect the girl child.

Judge Limbani added that the 22 year sentence slapped on the convict would help him reflect and reform and at the same time send a strong signal to society that such behaviour should not be tolerated.